If we can get six points more with another manager, we should surely switch, no? Are you seriously arguing that Shaw has improved? If anything he has regressed since ha came in 2015! Yes, I agree that Ole has developed a few players, however, you can surely argue that Rashford, for example, would have improved regardless considering his age and talent. A worrying thing is that plenty of our new signings are regressing. VNL, AWB, Maguire, James, you don't really see any improvement there. But that's not my biggest problem with Ole either. He is doing fine with the squad building, it's his coaching I don't think is good enough and our non-improvement of the defense is worrying. We'll see, for me he should at least challenge for the title this season to show improvement. We came third last season and were in points nearer relegation than winning the title. I think we will see at the end of the season where we are, and I strongly believe I will be right here. Sorry to say. I hope I'm not though and that we will challenge and win a title, but I don't think so.
I said "might be 6 points", but if your squad building is poor, the following season, the poorer manager would make that up, if you get what I mean. It's like Poch might get 86 points while Ole will get 80, but the signings in the following seasons would ensure Ole gets to the 86 point mark, whereas, it's quite likely Poch might remain at the same point or regress
And yes, Shaw has definitely improved. 2015 was more based on potential rather than ability, and we do love hyping up younger players based on what they are capable of 5 years down the line, rather than that point in time. Since the time he joined us, he hasn't ever played football than under now, maybe barring the 1 month before leg break. The only issue is injuries, otherwise, statistically, he's arguably the best LB in the league after Robertson (Chilwell, Digne are poor defensively before you bring up their names).
The Rashford argument is quite poor, as we've seen multiple top talents flop because of their attitude and other reasons. And even if we consider that argument, even then, you'd have to apply the same argument for Kane, Son, Alli, etc. in which case we'd be saying that Poch improved none of the players.
AWB and Maguire have not improved, but they haven't regressed as well, if anything AWB has improved slightly. The issue is we overrate our players at the time of signing so much so that it's impossible for them to be classified a success. James was a punt, and he hasn't really worked out.
Then coming to the coaching point - if you really believe that we've gotten consistent results against better teams and "better manager" without good enough coaching, I'd expect the title in the first season from the new manager - as simple as that. Surely a top manager is worth atleast 15-20 points over no manager. This is a young squad, they'll be inconsistent and have off-days. There are still holes that are yet to be filled and that would take time.
As far as title challenge is concerned, let's go back 3 months or so. How many people on the forum were confident of even a top 4 finish despite the window that we had? People were happy with a top 4 finish and felt Ole would do a remarkable job if we manage to get that. Right now, we're 5 points behind the leaders, with a game in hand. Basically, Ole is becoming the victim of his own success. The more he wins, the more "individual brilliance" argument gets peddled and the more pressure piles up on Ole, which if you think about it is ridiculous.