There is a lot to like about Mateo Joseph's all round game. His work rate, speed and athleticism causes defences big problems.

He likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender and make a real nuisance of himself. He is a pest and gives United something different in attack. He is a handful on his day.

But the goals are not flowing for Joseph. He went close to scoring in Saturday's FA Cup tie with Harrogate Town, hitting the post with a low shot in the first half.

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Ultimately, though, Joseph fired another blank. It is now just two goals in 27 outings this season. You have to go back to mid-October for the last time Joseph found the back of the net.

Daniel Farke has given Joseph every opportunity to nail down the No 9 position. Twelve of his appearances have come as a starter. He has had his chances, just not taken them.

The evidence suggests Joseph is not quite ready for the responsibility of leading United's attack week in, week out. It is crystal clear Joseph is still a raw talent that needs to be shaped and moulded.

Top-scorer Joel Piroe is likely to replace Joseph in attack when United host Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. Piroe already has 15 goal contributions to his name this season.

A muscle problem kept Piroe out of the Harrogate tie, with Farke admitting Piroe would not have been involved had it been a league match. "I hope Wednesday or Thursday latest he will be back in team training," Farke told the media. "I don't see a big danger he can't be involved in the next upcoming home games. I think it was important we didn't risk anything today. At least so far it has improved a lot so I expect him to be back in the middle of next week and then he will be available also for the game."

Piroe's imminent return is a big boost for the Whites. As things stand, they are pinning all their hopes on Piroe staying fit and firing them back to the Premier League.

There are growing concerns over United's lack of forward options. A serious injury to Piroe would leave them short on numbers, with Joseph out of form, Patrick Bamford sidelined until the end of the month and Joe Gelhardt heading to Hull City.

Farke and chief executive Angus Kinnear have made it clear they expect a quiet January transfer window. Nine new faces arrived through the door in the summer but there were no reinforcements in the central attacking role. It does feel like the Whites will be taking a big risk by not strengthening the top end of the pitch before the window closes on February 3.