I don’t get to see the reserves live as often as I would like, but as they were playing Man Utd Reserves tonight, I was able to catch the first 80 minutes of the game bossed by Gordon Cowans before the stream died on me. A very good performance it was too, lead from the front by Barry Bannan, who was near faultless throughout.

Bannan opened the scoring just after five minutes with a curled free kick from just outside the box. He turned provider for the second, sending an over cooked corner back in for Ciaran Clark to bring down expertly before turning his marker and blasting past a helpless goalkeeper.

Bannan got his third just before half time with a nonchalant effort from the left hand corner of the box which curled beautifully into the top corner. It would be cruel to call it a mishit cross, I’m pretty certain it was a shot. I’m sure he’ll say it was too!

Utd were much improved after the break, but didn’t look to be threatening the well organised back line too much. The now famous Bebe was running a pretty disciplined line down the right flank as part of a front three for much of the game and delivered a few very nicely shaped crosses – one that Parish had to scramble to stop going in the net (that one was a mishit cross) – but there was little end product.

Utd did get one back midway through the second half, substitute Ajose lingering criminally unmarked at the far post at a corner, calmly side footed in unopposed.

Bannan almost made the perfect reply immediately afterward, striking the frame with another left footed effort from distance. My stream died not long after that, but Delfouneso apparently forced a fine save from keeper Johnstone and won a penalty five minutes later, after being fouled by Gill. Bannan completed his hat-trick from the spot.

Overall, a very impressive display all round. I liked Salifou playing a predominantly right sided role during the first half, he took care of the ball well, didn’t give up possession cheaply and his dribbling was fantastic. I’m not sure I’ve seen him running at players so aggressively before, but his unique, almost off balance style, combined with a little trick here, a little feint there, created a ton of space to operate in. If he only had a final delivery, he could be much more regular face in the match day squads.

Hogg also showed why he’s been featuring in first team squads of late and Isaiah Osbourne did the simple things in the middle well, but showed why he’s struggled to get near the first team with his wastefulness in the final third.

Naturally, Bannan was the star of the show and I found myself wondering during the game what he might be like on the right, cutting in on his left foot like a certain Argentinian he happens to be the same height as. He played on the left tonight, as usual, but without a natural right winger, he pushed into the left channel to provide support for the front pair of Delfouneso and Collins.

We’ve seen him on the left many times, of course, he played behind Heskey in Vienna and ploughed a lone furrow at Basingstoke during pre-season, he’s beginning to prove his versatility, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pop up on the right at some point. Why not?

In terms of his development, he reminds me in many ways of Marc Albrighton this time last year. He’s been known to be a decent prospect for some time and is really starting to stake a claim for inclusion in first team squads, but probably isn’t quite there yet.

I was concerned about his height in the past, but if he blossoms in the next 12 months in the same fashion as Albrighton, there’s no reason why he couldn’t play at the top level regardless. Hey, if 5’7″ Lionel Messi can do it, why not our Barry Bannan?

The Scottish Messi perhaps? Now there’s a tasty prospect!

If you missed it on Twitter, I screen-grabbed the line-ups and annotated three goals from the first half. The third goal is shown from behind the goal as it was the only way I could feature Bannan and the goal in the same shot.