By Noel Whelan

31st Oct, 2020 | 8:00am

Pundit Exclusive: This may be real reason for West Ham star's latest snub

Noel Whelan has suggested David Moyes snubbed West Ham striker Sebastien Haller against Manchester City for tactical reasons despite Michail Antonio’s injury.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, the former Leeds United and Coventry City forward claimed that the Scottish boss brought on winger Andriy Yarmolenko instead to help see out a draw.

Haller was the only recognised striker on West Ham’s bench versus City and seemed like the logical replacement for Antonio who came off with a hamstring injury.

The Frenchman was eventually introduced with just over 20 minutes to go as he replaced winger Jarod Bowen.

Haller moved to east London last summer for a record fee that could rise to £45million but has been limited to appearances from the bench in the Premier League this season.

Asked by Football Insider whether he would be frustrated if he was in Haller’s position, Whelan said: “I would but tactically you’ve got to look at what they needed to do to get something out of the game.

“That is probably the only thing I could think of if I was wondering why I didn’t come on. That’s the reason why.

“You’re playing against Manchester City, you want to get something out of the game. Maybe David Moyes thought he needed something else that was going to be more beneficial to the side.

“As a striker personally, I would have been a little bit miffed and questioning why.”

Haller has scored five goals in eight appearances this season across all competitions but four of those came against League One opposition in the Carabao Cup.

He scored seven goals in 32 Premier League games last season.

In other West Ham news, a top pundit has revealed why he believes Said Benrahma has been frozen by Moyes.