Manchester United undergo kit change ahead of Europa League final against Tottenham

The Red Devils will don a slightly different kit against Tottenham.

When Manchester United play Tottenham Hotspur, a team from the Premier League, in the Europa League final tonight in Bilbao, they will wear a significantly different uniform.

Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim will face off in an attempt to win a trophy after difficult seasons, with a Champions League berth being the extra incentive for the 2025-26 season. In preparation for their match tonight, both teams have arrived in Spain.

However, instead of the customary white, United’s players will be sporting black shorts, their trademark red jerseys, and black socks when they take the field at San Mames.

The longstanding European history of Spurs has made this shift necessary. Since 1961, the North London team has travelled throughout Europe wearing all-white attire, a tradition started by former manager Bill Nicholson.

Tottenham’s preferred uniform is above Manchester United’s since they are the “home” team for the final. According to the Mirror, Nicholson introduced the Spurs’ all-white uniform policy more than 60 years ago in order to improve player visibility in dimly lit venues.

The custom started when they played Gornik, a Polish team, away. “We just turned up in the dressing room for the game and there was the all-white kit,” recollected former Spurs winger Cliff Jones.

Ricky George, who was an apprentice at the time, reflected: “The all-white kit was for visibility. It was Bill Nick’s way of looking for those marginal gains. Those nights at White Hart Lane, under the lights, were just very special.”

Manchester United’s decision to change their uniform this season is not new. In March, they wore black shorts for their away game against Real Sociedad, which ended in a 1-1 draw after goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Joshua Zirkzee.

However, they switched back to their traditional white shorts for the rematch at Old Trafford, where Bruno Fernandes’ hat-trick helped the Red Devils win 4-1. United are keen to win the final and guarantee their place in the Champions League for the following season, regardless of what they wear.

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