Van Gaal prepares for knockouts
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."
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."
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.
Ashley Young will definitely miss out because of a hamstring injury he sustained at Stoke.
Gary Johnson has warned his Yeovil players that they cannot afford to be in awe of United.
The Glovers, rock-bottom of League One having lost their last three matches since overcoming Accrington in their FA Cup second-round replay.
But Johnson will tell his squad to focus on the match and not shirt swapping with some of the world's biggest names.
"Being starstruck by Manchester United is a concern and you can't stop human nature," the Yeovil manager told the Western Gazette.
"This is a one-off game which some of the lads aren't going to have again. I'm sure they will think: 'can I get Wayne Rooney's boots?' You know that's going to happen.
"But we need to make sure we get into game mode. I don't mind it after the final whistle, but I will have the raging hump if my players swap shirts before then.
"I don't want the lads having selfies with Wayne Rooney. We are going into battle and trying to stop one of the best teams in the world. So there won't be any selfies while I'm around."
Yeovil certainly have giant-killing pedigree having knocked out 20 Football League sides during their non-league days and have done battle with United before, back in 1949, on the back of one of their biggest ever scalps.
The then-Southern League Glovers knocked out Sunderland in the fourth round only to be beaten 8-0 by the Red Devils in front of more than 81,000 fans.
Source: PA
