Tommy Docherty took over a hopeless team - signed some good players : Macari, G.Daly, Coppell, Hill and Pearson - and he got us playing good football. He is also the only one who didn't get fired because of football-related issues.
So he left Sexton with a fairly young, interesting side.
Docherty also bought some dross....and he actually left Sexton with an average side in many respects.
Docherty's team in the last third of the 1976/77 season had a record of W4 D4 L6...that's 12 points. Relegation form.
Docherty would have needed to over haul that team big style.
We had no proper goalscorer (both Pearson and Greenhoff were 10-15 goals a season type of players)...a keeper who should have gone years earlier in Stepney and only Roche to replace him. A problem at right back, a problem at CH next to Buchan and no bite in midfield as McIlroy, Macari, Coppell and Hill were all attacking style players.
What he did leave Sexton with was a few first rate youngsters like Albiston and Coppell, some attacking midfielders as mentioned and a world class centre half. The team lacked strength in the middle and pace at the back/up front (Pearson/Greenhoff weren't quick). Our squad behind the first 11 was very weak.
Sexton's biggest problem was his transfer policy. Apart from the world class Ray Wilkins, and the up and coming Gary Bailey virtually all his other signings were average until he signed McGrath and Moran as he was on his way out.
Sloan - not good enough
Connell - not good enough
Jordan - couldn't score goals
McQueen - couldn't defend on the ground
Thomas - not United quality
Jovanovic - not suited to 442
Birtles - club was too big for him
Grimes - not United quality
Sexton caused his own problems by buying these players as none of them added any real value in comparison to other options at the time.