Louis van Gaal dug out a favourite old phrase of his to remind his Manchester United players they will be fighting for their lives when they face Yeovil in the FA Cup on Sunday.
When asked to sum up the third round match against League One's bottom side at Huish Park, the United manager said: "It is death or the gladioli."
Dutch road cyclist Gerrie Knetemann is thought to have coined the phrase in the 1970s and 1980s as the winner of Tour de France stages received a bouquet of gladiolus flowers.
Others believe it dates back to Roman times when gladiators who killed their opponents also received flowers.
Regardless of its origins, in layman's terms the phrase means one thing - "all or nothing," Van Gaal explains.
"You are dead or you receive the gladiolus flower. In cup matches it's always like that."
Van Gaal has won three domestic cups during his managerial career, but it has not always been a rosy picture for the 63-year-old when it comes to knockout competitions.
In 1996 Van Gaal experienced one of the most embarrassing results of his career in the KNVB Cup when his Ajax team lost to second division side SC Cambuur.
During Van Gaal's ill-fated second spell at Barcelona, a team of internationals including Xavi, Michael Reiziger, Frank de Boer and Juan Roman Riquelme were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by third tier side Novelda in front of just 5,500 spectators.
That defeat was so painful for Van Gaal that he has consigned any memory of it to the dustbin
"I cannot remember anymore. It is wiped out of my mind," he said.
"But I do remember the criticism in Spain was very high after."
Van Gaal was also ridiculed after his first experience of cup football in England when his United team were dumped out of the Capital One Cup in August following a 4-0 defeat to MK Dons.
The Dutchman is eager to avoid another upset and he insists his players will not be complacent against a team that currently sit 65 places below United in the league ladder.
"We know from our early exit in the Capital One Cup that league places mean nothing in the cups. We will be prepared," Van Gaal added.
"We have learned from the Milton Keynes game. They are also in League One.
"Everything about playing a lower league team will be different - the pitch, the stadium. For the players, it's more difficult to prepare for a match like this, especially after playing so much over Christmas."
For Van Gaal, as well as summer signings Radamel Falcao, Ander Herrera and Angel di Maria, this will be his first taste of FA Cup football.
The Dutchman is well aware of the significance of the competition though - and is determined to go all the way as he thinks it is the best chance he has of winning a trophy during his debut year at Old Trafford.
"It's the shortest way to success," Van Gaal said.
"We are very interested (in winning it).
"In the Netherlands we have known for many years that the FA Cup is one of the most important competitions in football.
"The FA Cup was shown on the television over there at a time when it was not common to show matches from other countries."
Van Gaal will assess his players' fitness before deciding whether to make changes from the XI that drew 1-1 at Stoke on New Year's Day.
"We have played three games in seven days...the cumulative lactic acid is bigger than ever," he said.
Ashley Young will definitely miss out because of a hamstring injury he sustained at Stoke.
Van Gaal has no doubt Young suffered the injury as a result of the hectic Christmas schedule.
"Ashley Young couldn't bear the load because... that (the schedule) is the reason," Van Gaal added.
Source: PA
