Tottenham has forced Manchester United in a large kit change prior to the Europa League final because of a tradition that dates 64 years.
The two English parties will fight it in Bilbao for a place in the Champions League of next season that can only be claimed by the winner.
Because both parties will end outside the European places in the Premier League – with Man United in 16th and Spurs in the 17th – the final in San Mames has an extra element important for two parties that would otherwise expect to be in Europe.
However, disappointing domestic campaigns for Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim mean that the two finalists will end the 2024-25 season in their lowest Premier League positions ever.
United has also received a further setback because they have to wear a somewhat changed kit for the showpiece event in the Basque Country.
This is because Tottenham's home kit has priority because they were drawn when the 'home' team for the game.
While the LilyWhites have worn white shirts with Marine Shorts and white socks while they are in action in the Premier League this season, that differs in the European competition.
Due to a tradition dating from 1961, traces wear completely white in Europe.
This means that United Black Shorts and Black Socks have to deal with their famous red shirts in the final.
They previously wore the combination during their away game to Real Sociedad in March, which ended as a 1-1 draw.
In the meantime, Andre Onana is wearing Groen in Doel for the Red Devils, while Guglielmo Vicario has a yellow sweater.
The tradition of traces that wear completely white was introduced by their then manager Bill Nicholson after reaching Europe for the first time that year.
Nicholson, double the competition and double the cup, reasoned that the kit was easier to distinguish from poorly lit fields.
Since then, the North -London side has won two UEFA cups and a UEFA Cup winner's cup -and they hope to add the Europa League to their cabinet on Wednesday evening while haunting a first trophy since 2008.