West Ham manager David Moyes has confirmed that striker Michail Antonio is a doubt for tomorrow’s game against Manchester United in the FA Cup.
The 30-year-old was substituted in the final 15 minutes of the 0-0 draw against Fulham on Saturday, and Moyes says that the player is “fatigued” and a late decision will be made on his selection at Old Trafford.
With the Hammers having failed to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closed last month, supporters on Twitter reacted in frustration after hearing of Antonio’s latest fitness issue:
An absolutely predictable outcome. We’re similarly vulnerable in central midfield. https://t.co/dONZjwEXlR
— Luke James (@LukeJames_32) February 8, 2021
Play that other striker we signed………..
— James Rowland (@Millsy_whu) February 8, 2021
Fatigued? He’s an elite athlete
— Matty bartlett (@Mattybartlett5) February 8, 2021
I guess its Odubekus time
— Scout Soucek (@ScoutSoucek) February 8, 2021
Your telling me the injury prone winger…. GOT INJURED?!?!?!?!???!!!! Well it’s good thank god we have a back up….. oh wait pic.twitter.com/R3QAAONEVW
— WestHamupdates (@updates_ham) February 8, 2021
Anyone else has faith in Yarmo ? just me ? ok
— A.B (@basti_ahmed) February 8, 2021
Rest him give the young lad a go up front
— dickowhu@gmail (@Brian44852256) February 8, 2021
As some fans mentioned, there is some hope that youngster Ademipo Odubeko could be selected to start tomorrow, having been handed his senior debut in the third-round win over Stockport County.
However, Moyes does have other options available to him. Both Andriy Yarmolenko and Jarrod Bowen have experience of playing as centre-forwards so the two players could well be considered for the role ahead of the United clash.