JAN Poortvliet has called on his players to seize the moment and produce a performance against Manchester United tomorrow that will change their season.

Saints are currently slumped second from bottom of the Championship and you would think that a visit from the reigning Premiership, European and World champions in the FA Cup third round would be the last thing Poortvliet would want.

But the head coach is keyed up for the game that will be played in front of a sell-out crowd at St Mary’s and believes his side can produce a display that might just inject new life into their disappointing campaign.

He said: “For sure it can change the season. We have been so close to winning games and we believe when one time it happens it could happen a lot of times because the quality of playing is there, the passion is also there, creating of chances is a big part of our team but we need to put them in the net.”

Poortvliet added: “It is a great honour to play against them and their coach.

“We have a lot of admiration when we look at Manchester United and the only thing is when we play we have to forget that and give our best and everything we have to give them a hard time and we will do that.”

Jan’s Cup challenge – see today's Daily Echo