Solskjaer's worth as permanent United boss will be proven in the next month

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's quest to become the permanent manager of Manchester United will be put firmly to the test in the forthcoming month, as the Red Devils face eight season-determining matches. First, the visit of Paris Saint-Germain in tonight's Champions League showdown, where the Norwegian will experience the Champions League for the first time in his managerial career.

The French champions are without Neymar and Edinson Cavani - who both miss tonight's encounter at Old Trafford through injury - making the Premier League side favourites to come out on top. Solskjaer rested Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard for United's trip to Fulham in the league on Saturday, not that it made a difference to the top four chasers as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Craven Cottage thanks to a brace from Paul Pogba and stunning solo effort from Anthony Martial.

It will certainly make a difference this evening though, as the 45-year-old can now throw his two most influential performers into the starting lineup knowing that they are well rested and chomping at the bit to make a name for themselves on the European main stage. Rashford especially, who is currently enjoying the best form of his career having scored four goals in his last six appearances for United.

Unbeaten in his first eleven games in charge at Old Trafford, Solskjaer is experiencing the best start to a managerial career at United since Sir Alex Ferguson, with many now believing that he is the man to take charge of the club on a permanent basis this summer.

A 1-0 win against Tottenham in the Premier League last month silenced many sceptics who felt that Solskjaer was just benefitting from a team who felt invigorated after a shift in management, and that their recent spike in form wasn't down to anything he had done in particular.

The convincing 3-1 win away to Arsenal in the FA Cup just two weeks later solidified this, and even when United found themselves seconds away from being humiliated by Burnley in their own backyard a fortnight ago, the character they showed to draw the game level in the dying stages is yet another sign that this United side have got their mojo back.

The job is far from complete however; there's still a long way to go to ensure United finish in the top four and obtain Champions League football next term, but the fact they've already leapfrogged Chelsea - the club they found themselves a staggering nine points behind just four weeks ago - is an extremely promising sign which will also provide them with plenty of momentum.

United travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the 5th round of the FA Cup next Monday, before a huge game against Liverpool in the Premier League the following weekend. Two potential banana skins proceed that clash against the Reds when United travel to Crystal Palace, before hosting league strugglers Southampton - the club who almost humbled them in the reverse tie in December before a late first-half come back at St Mary's rescued a point for Jose Mourinho's men.

Then comes the second leg of this evening's Champions League fixture as United visit the Parc des Princes to face PSG, before two huge games in the Premier League against Arsenal and fierce rivals Manchester City. As far as run-ins go, this is up there with the hardest and will massively challenge Solskjaer's ability to grind out results against the best in the business.

Should United get to mid-May relatively unscathed, still competing in the Champions League and FA Cup, then they simply cannot deprive Ole of the chance to manage his beloved team on a full-time basis, can they?

For everyone saying that United have 'only beaten small sides' since the baby faced assassin took charge in December, this next month is make or break for your reputation - you could either come out the other side with a smug grin on your face and the unchallenged ability to say 'I told you so', or, you could be forced to eat your words.

Whatever happens, it's going to extremely interesting to watch unfold.