Man Utd forced into kit change by Spurs for Europa League final because of 64-year tradition

Manchester United have been forced into a kit change by Tottenham for the Europa League final because of a 64-year tradition.

Man United face Spurs in tonight's all-English Europa League final in Bilbao, Spain.

The Red Devils have already travelled to Bilbao in their European venture, having beaten Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, winning the tie 7-1 on aggregate.

As for Spurs, they beat Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate to book their spot in the final.

The winners will not just win the Europa League but also a spot in next season's Champions League, with the loser missing out on Europe entirely due to their current league positions.

Man United are placed 16th in the Premier League table, with 39 points on the board while Spurs are 17th, having recorded 38 points.

The two teams have already played three times this season, with the North London outfit winning all three meetings.

Tottenham and Manchester United during their Premier League fixture last February. Image: Getty

They beat Erik ten Hag's then-side 3-0 at Old Trafford before dumping them out of the Carabao Cup following their 4-3 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And they won the reverse league fixture 1-0 last February.

In both league games, Man United wore their traditional red home shirt, white shorts and black socks, while Spurs wore their white shirt, complete with navy blue shorts and white socks.

For the Europa League final, however, there will be a change in kits for both teams.

Spurs have, where permitted, worn an all-white kit for their European matches - a tradition that dates back 64 years.

Back in the 1960/61 season, Bill Nicholson decided to change the club's kit, partially because he considered it to hold a potential performance advantage.

The club's official website revealed that, although it has been widely claimed that the main reason was to emulate Real Madrid's all-white kit, there was a more practical explanation.

With floodlights not as bright as they are today, Spurs' white shirt and navy shorts combination made it difficult for the players to see each other during evening matches.

Nicholson decided to sanction the all-white kit change to improve visibility.

Spurs would use white shorts for the first time in an away match against Polish side Gornik in 1961 - their first-ever European fixture after completing a First Division and FA Cup double in the previous campaign.

Manchester United are set to play the Europa League final in black shorts. Image: Manchester United

As the administrative home side for the Europa League final, Spurs will get first choice over what kit to wear, meaning they will likely be kitted out in all-white.

Man United, meanwhile, will wear their red shirt, accompanied with black shorts and black socks.