4 targets Solskjaer must achieve to get the full-time job at Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made quite the first impression at Manchester United with his return as the Caretaker Boss. However, the Norwegian is currently on an extremely rare Managerial loan of sorts from his parent club Molde FK, where he is supposed to return at the end of the season. As such, this is a great opportunity for Solskjaer to gather vital experience of the life at the helm of one of the greatest clubs in the world and he should be delighted with the way things have turned up.

The Premier League giants are currently looking out for a full-time successor to take over from the Norwegian at the end of the season and the search is not easy. There are very few men with the capabilities to meet the demands of the European Giants and even fewer who could agree to rescue a club in turmoil. However, there is one candidate who is available and willing right now - Solskjaer himself.

The Norwegian has not hidden his desire to take charge of Manchester United on a permanent basis one day and will be desperate to manage United on a full term basis. A lot of what happens in the summer will depend on how well Solskjaer performs in the second half of the season. However, if the Norwegian can fulfill these four targets, his quest for the full-time post might get easier.

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#4 Finishing in the top 4 thereby qualifying for next season's Champions League

Sarri's Chelsea currently occupying the 4th position

Manchester United are currently 6th in the Premier League, eight points off Chelsea who occupies the 4th spot. They are 22 points off Liverpool who are at the top of the table, abet with a game in hand. A title challenge right now seems like a fairy tale and might be too much to ask for. However, even the Norwegian himself will be looking forward to at least securing a Champions League spot by May.

The Red Devils have two away games and three home games against the top five in the remainder of the season. They play Tottenham away in January and also play Arsenal at the Emirates in March. The matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea games are at Old Trafford. While the road is not easy, at least a few of the top five will falter and if Solskjaer manages to make United relentless in their pursuit of a top-four spot, this target is actually achievable.

By steering Manchester United to a Champions League spot, the Norwegian will show that he has the abilities to take a broken team and make them gel and become efficient again. He will display great managerial abilities to revive a team in disarray and this will greatly enhance his chances for the full-time job.

#3 Reaching the semifinal of the Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain will be Solskjaer's acid test in the UEFA Champions League

To be considered for the permanent job, Solskjaer will have to convince the board that he can get his tactics right against the best in Europe. The Norwegian has the experience of playing at the highest level for United and as such, is well aware of the rigors of the Champions League. However, doing it as a manager will be an entirely different prospect. And his biggest hurdle arrives in his first tie of the tournament, against high flying PSG.

Stopping a team like PSG won't be easy, but in a two-legged tie, anything is possible, especially if Solskjaer can stitch together a run of games in the Premier league that binds his team together.

The Norwegian's preference to fight fire with fire might just come in handy against the French Champions. If he does get past PSG, Solskjaer will be hoping to reach as far as possible in the tournament.

However, a place in the semifinals will be fabulous for him and for Manchester United. Most importantly, it will bolster his chances to continue at the helm at Old Trafford beyond the summer.

#2 Winning the FA Cup

Van Gaal is the last Manchester United manager to lift the FA Cup

The FA Cup is the only realistic chance of Silverware for Manchester United this season. Solskjaer could be forgiven if he decides to prioritize the tournament in the second half of the season. Whether Manchester United have the personnel to fight on all front for the remainder of the season is a topic for an entirely different debate, but the nature of the FA Cup is such that there are no clear-cut favorites yet.

Solskjaer will be hoping that he will be ready for the big guns in the later stages of the FA Cup. For that, he will have to identify his best team, rotate his squad efficiently and make sure that his team is ruthless in front of goal. The fact that he will have a few more games under his belt before the tournament starts will do him a lot of good.

Manchester United last won the FA Cup in 2006, under Louis van Gaal, who was relieved of his duties after winning his first Silverware for the club. This time though, winning the FA Cup might just convince the Manchester United board to considered Solskjaer as a genuine contender.

#1 Bringing the entertainment and the joy back to Old Trafford

Solskjaer will be hoping to take Manchester United back to the good old days

The Norwegian has already made United flexible, fluid and orderly. They look like a team with a plan and also have the results going their way. Most importantly, Manchester United under their new manager has become entertaining again.

The team has already scored eight goals in two games. They averaged almost 17 shots per game under Solskjaer, with 10 shots on target per game. This was a huge development and also a step in the right direction for the club.

An entertaining Manchester United firing on all cylinders will lift the mood at the Old Trafford and will suit the PR team very well. The marketing department will be delighted and the brand power of United will hit higher levels. And, it will also strengthen Solskjaer's position as the perfect man to take Manchester United forward beyond the summer.