Carrington has created some spectacular footballers over the years; however, some don’t come into their own until after they’ve left Manchester United.
There is a rich tradition and history at Manchester United when it comes to academy graduates, stretching back to 1937.
Since then, every single match-day squad put out by the club has seen at least one academy player named. It remains a major part of the club, with Ruben Amorim pledging to maintain United’s record just last week.
Some of the biggest names in club history have come through the storied halls of Carrington. The best United academy graduates are a who’s who of legendary figures like George Best, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes.
However, not all graduates go on to become club legends; some move elsewhere before finding their feet in the professional game. Now, one player who fits that mould has been tearing it up in the Championship.
Ethan Galbraith complains to referee while playing for Northern Ireland.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Manchester United will be watching Ethan Galbraith with envious eyes
There is so much quality in Carrington that not all are able to make it at the club, and Ethan Galbraith is one of these.
The Northern Irish midfielder left Old Trafford for free in 2023. United released Galbraith despite his clear quality, with Leyton Orient picking him up for free.
Galbraith was backed for success after leaving United, and that quickly was clear as he looked far too good for Orient in League One, earning himself a move up a division.
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During the summer of 2025, Galbraith made the move to Swansea in the Championship, for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £1.5m, which already appears to be a complete bargain.
Galbraith has been completely at home in the Championship, shining on and off the ball in a midfield two for the Swans.
Galbraith stats this season for Swansea in the Championship
Stat 25/26
Minutes 422
Games 5
Assists 1
Passing accuracy 83.1%
Accurate long balls 18
Dribble success 66.7%
Tackles won 4
Duels won 21 (58.3%)
Aerial duels won 6 (100%)
Interceptions 3
This performance has left fans adamant that his star will only continue rising and that a move to the Premier League is inevitable next summer.
Galbraith was once compared to Xavi and Andres Iniesta
Back in 2019, Galbraith became United’s 232nd academy graduate, and soon he could be on the radar of Jason Wilcox and co as a midfielder emerging as one of the most exciting in the Championship.
Galbraith is a Premier League player in the making, but for former Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough, the quality has always been evident, as he was quoted by club media comparing him with Xavi.
“Not to put too much pressure on his shoulders, but he’s our little [Andres] Iniesta or Xavi, someone who can get on the ball and manipulate the ball and find positive passes. Over the coming years, he will give us a different flavour to the squad.”
Galbraith’s stock will only continue to rise, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him signed by a Brentford or Bournemouth next summer for a big fee as the Championship’s next exciting export.