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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the dramatic final moments of Swansea's stunning fightback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith briefly donning a fan's glasses following the on-field celebration.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range strike from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess immediately slammed home the rebound before racing off toward the East Stand to celebrate, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Stunning Reversal

This capped an incredible comeback given the team had trailed 2-0 deep into the second half. Amid the delirium, there was some unintended consequences. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator shouting out and Josh Key and I were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're people, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The victory earned a fourth-round match at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. He had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in stunning style, with a teammate's long-range effort from about long distance going in via the bar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've credited him for having a go from that far out," commented Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right defensive wing after Orient changed shape. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who praised the way his former team attacked the game.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are outstanding but even the basics and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they complete every delivery and they are adept at manage and take the sting out of a game. You can believe you're doing well and then without warning they will just fizz a pass past your midfield without you even seeing. You have to be switched on every second of the game. It takes a strong mentality and concentration just to keep pace."

New Chapter

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a popular figure across two seasons at Orient and has swiftly done the same in his new home. At Orient he linked up again with the coach, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in senior football on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a loan at fourth-tier Salford, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was perhaps a somewhat inexperienced going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without much intensity. You see few hard challenges. Once you start playing men's games you have to adapt rapidly."

International Recognition

He has demonstrated that development for club and country, performing well for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the past five games, including home and away encounters against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he handles the football and his eye for a game-changing assist.

Starting Out

This marks quite the ride for the youngster from the Queens Park estate in Glengormley, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who grew up watching his dad, Stuart, also a central player, play for his father's team.

Manchester United Experience

His sole appearance for United came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to Astana, where they played on an synthetic surface and the arena covering was sealed owing to the weather of bitter cold. "That proved to be a lengthy journey and it was chilly," he comments, grinning. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads practiced as a group, so that assisted our preparation. Just to join the main group and make an appearance at the end was incredible."

Departing Old Trafford

What was the challenge was it to leave United, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "It was relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I knew I wouldn't break through at the senior squad. I'm very appreciative for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I believed I needed to go my own route, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm steadily working my way back up."

Welsh Adaptation

It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a learner's exam, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called team minibus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, the transport team, which ferries players to and from training and matches.

"My companions include a teammate, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – a former passenger used to be in it but has started driving. It's nice to interact with the teammates but I'm planning to be the subsequent individual to drive independently and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."

Public Engagement

When he represented Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on public transport after commuting at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim