THE SECRET SCOUT: Manchester United's teenage midfielder Ethan Galbraith has an old head on young shoulders and a superb range of passing
* Ethan Galbraith is a calming influence in midfield with an old head on him
* Northern Ireland international has a range of passing and makes the right choice
* He is still slight and has some developing to do physically to be commanding
WHAT HAS HE GOT?
Playing with highly regarded Manchester United academy players — some signed for transfer fees — this 19-year-old Northern Ireland international stood out. Although slight, he was a calming and confident influence in midfield.
The phrase ‘old head on young shoulders’ came to mind as he directed the play from deep but with licence to move forward and overload. His pass selection appealed to me — playing short, receiving the return and knitting the midfield together.
Galbraith also spread the play and stretched the opposition. Two crossfield passes were exceptional — fast, accurate and not lofted, to deny the opposition full back time to intercept.
Ethan Galbraith is a calming influence on Manchester United's midfield in the academy
WHAT DOES HE NEED?
He is only 5ft 9in and is yet to fully develop, albeit his lack of physicality did not deter him in midfield skirmishes.
On the contrary, a moment of temper in this game saw him sent off! But he did not look like an intimidator and largely tackled cleanly.
He seemed to have leadership qualities and players responded to his promptings.
Competition at the big clubs is fierce and only a tiny percentage progress to senior level early.
Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood have done that at United, so it will be interesting to follow Galbraith’s progress.
The Northern Ireland international still has some developing to do physically
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