West Ham face Macclesfield Town in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night but who should start up front?
Manuel Pellegrini is faced with a selection dilemma here, with his options depleted.
Marko Arnautovic missed Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea and the Austrian will undoubtedly be rested for the cup.
Javier Hernandez has missed the last two games through illness but he might have recovered. Young striker Xande Silva, however, is out with a hamstring issue.
Here are Pellegrini’s options and we decide who should start as the central striker.
Javier Hernandez
Chicharito, if fit, is the obvious choice up top. If he has shrugged off his illness, he will hope to terrorise the Macclesfield defence.
The Silkmen have been shaky at the back this season and the Mexico international’s experience will surely stand him in good stead.
Michail Antonio
Antonio was given a big chance to impress against Chelsea, playing as a centre forward.
But the 28-year-old did not threaten enough and his two glorious chances were both wasted.
Pellegrini could drop Antonio back to the bench or shift him to a wide position.
Lucas Perez
Perez came off the bench against Chelsea. But the Spaniard hardly had any time or service to assert himself.
Perhaps the 30-year-old should be given a starting role as a striker in the cup to see what he can do.
The Verdict
Even if Arnautovic has recovered from his injury, he needs to be rested for Manchester United.
Hernandez might be back from illness, but he should be placed on the bench as an impact substitute.
It’s a straight pick between Antonio and Perez for me. And I cannot justify giving Antonio another run-out up top after his Chelsea display.
It is time for Perez to be given an opportunity to thrive up top while Antonio should start on the right wing.
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