West Ham ace Manuel Lanzini must be wondering what he’s done wrong as future hangs in the balance

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Manuel Lanzini has reached a crucial turning point in his West Ham career.

Read also: ‘Bargain’: Some West Ham fans erupt at links with ‘sensational’ £15 million ace

The 27-year-old joined the Hammers on loan in the summer of 2015, before making his move to east London a permanent one the following summer for around £9 million (Daily Mail).

Lanzini, who earns £75k-a-week according to Football League FC, proved to be an instant hit in east London. His West Ham career took a downward turn, however, when he suffered a serious injury during the build up to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

After returning from that injury, the Argentine struggled to replicate the form he showed during his first two years with the Hammers.

Lanzini experienced a really tough campaign last season. He racked up just three assists and zero goals in 25 games in all competitions for West Ham (Transfermarkt).

The South American didn’t start this season any better either, although two assists in the Carabao Cup offered a slight hope that maybe he could return to his former glories.

Lanzini was left on the bench for the Hammers’ first four Premier League games of the season.

The Argentine was finally given some minutes when he was brought on away at Tottenham. And the rest is history. The 27-year-old scored a wonder goal in injury time to earn a point for his team.

A false dawn?

Since then, however, he has had to make do with three fleeting appearances from the bench. Lanzini looked lively when he came on against Fulham and Sheffield United.

Pablo Fornals remains David Moyes’ first choice in the left wing position. The former River Plate ace probably offers more than the Spaniard from a technical perspective and he will be desperate to force his way into the Scot’s starting line-up.

With Said Benrahma waiting in the wings, however, it is hard to envisage a scenario where Lanzini starts for West Ham at the moment.

Considering his heroics away at Tottenham and his fine recent cameo appearances from the bench, if the 27-year-old isn’t given game-time soon, he will be wondering what he has done wrong.

The West Ham ace surely deserves a chance to show what he can do with a 90 minute outing. If Moyes doesn’t pick the play-maker to start over the next few games, however, it will be clear that he just doesn’t fancy the Argentine anymore.

And perhaps then Lanzini will consider his future at the London Stadium.