DOWLING BAGS TOP BILLING

The burning question is: Are Manchester United any further forward?

It is, of course, a cop out to say it is ‘a work in progress’ – you can say the same about any club on the planet.

One glance, though, at the team left behind by the Portuguese reflects how the next in line has effected change.

From the side that went down with a whimper at Anfield 12 months ago, there are seven alterations in personnel.

There will be no tears shed for the loss of Diogo Dalot, Ashley Young or Matteo Darmian

Romelu Lukaku caused as many problems as he solved and Nemanja Matic is clearly not the Norwegian’s cup of Darjeeling.

The absence of Ander Herrera from the midfield leaves a big void to fill. To be honest, this alone should be used as a stick with which to beat the person who failed to tie the Spaniard down to a new contract.

The ongoing issue with Alexis Sanchez has been sorted. The on-going problem with Paul Pogba hasn’t.

From Solskjaer’s forays into the market, proven quality in a key area has been added with Harry Maguire’s (inset, top) arrival. Allying that to youthful promise is a smart play.

Elsewhere, David De Gea’s contract – another weight that hung heavy – has been finalised. As has Marcus Rashford whose long-term future, too, is now secured.

All good.

There was always going to be an overhang from players, such as Juan Mata, brought by previous managers. It is going to take time for their agreements to wash through the

SPORTING directors have taken a kicking on this page over the past few years.

But for balance it’s only fair praise is dished out, too.

So a festive pat on the back for Luke Dowling at West Brom. It was tough, mending a club broken after a play-off semifinal defeat by Aston Villa. Dowling (right) had to source a new boss – Slaven Bilic – and piece together a new team. As an encore, he may have to maintain it in the

Premier League.