The result of Wednesday evening's Europa League final is likely to have lasting repercussions for both the winners and losers.
Under normal circumstances, once the defeated team have got over the disappointment of losing such a prestigious game, they'd dust themselves down and go again.
Credibility on the line for Ruben Amorim
With Manchester United currently undergoing a painful transition under Ruben Amorim, a win provides a platform from which the Portuguese can genuinely start to build the vision he has for the club.
A loss doesn't quite make his position untenable just yet, but it will do nothing for his credibility.
Ruben Amorim head coach of Manchester United during a pitch inspection ahead of the 2024/2025 Europa League FinalInsidefoto / ddp USA / Profimedia
For Ange Postecoglou, an incredible drop-off in form for his Tottenham team this season, injuries notwithstanding, has seen the knives out for the straight-talking Australian.
There's a real sense that if the Lilywhites don't win their first trophy in 17 years and 86 days (the 2007/08 League Cup under Juande Ramos), the manager will be relieved of his duties and Tottenham will be back to square one.
Head coach Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur seen with James Maddison during the last training session before the UEFA Europa League finalČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Gonzales Photo/Frederikke Jensen
It's as if the North London club's hierarchy have learned nothing from their previous treatment of managers.
Building a squad capable of challenging for silverware requires consistent financial investment and often takes years, neither of which Daniel Levy and his fellow board members appear to have grasped.
Champions League football awaits... for the 16th or 17th placed Premier League sides
This is the sixth all-English final in major European competition, and is almost certainly the most embarrassing. It's farcical that teams who are in 16th and 17th position in the Premier League will be playing Champions League football next season if they win on Wednesday night.
Spurs have been involved in two other European finals against fellow English teams, beating Wolves 3-2 on aggregate in the 1971/72 UEFA Cup final and losing to Liverpool in the 2018/19 Champions League final, whilst a win over Anderlecht in the 1983/84 UEFA Cup final (40 years and 363 days ago) was their last major European honour.
A view of the score board at San Mames Stadium prior to the Europa League finalČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Gonzales Photo/Frederikke Jensen
Manchester United's European pedigree isn't really a talking point, and Wednesday night's showpiece will be their ninth major European final. Only Liverpool (15) have reached more among English clubs.
The Red Devils will need to draw upon their form in this season's competition to take confidence into the game though.
United haven't beaten Spurs in their last six meetings
They are the only unbeaten side in major European competition this season, winning nine and drawing five of their 14 UEFA Europa League games.
However, Spurs have won all three of their meetings in all competitions so far this season; twice in the Premier League (3-0 away, 1-0 home) and once in the League Cup (4-3 at home).
Although United haven't beaten Tottenham in their last six matches, they've never gone seven without a win against them and have never lost four successive matches against them either.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Man United - Recent head-to-head resultsFlashscore
Both sides are more than capable of playing football that's pleasing on the eye, though one can't escape the fact that, at present, as a collective, they are severely lacking in confidence.
It's as if certain players are frightened of making mistakes rather than being brave and accepting that mistakes are all part of the learning curve.
On Wednesday, any player not with his head completely in the game is going to be found out on the biggest stage, and in certain cases, it could spell the end of their association at either club.
Bruno Fernandes is the man to watch
That won't be the case for Bruno Fernandes, who remains United's go-to guy and will undoubtedly prove to be their key man once again.
So far in this season's Europa League, he's made a competition high of 35 passes that have broken the opposition’s defensive line, and 24 line-breaking passes into the penalty area.
Tottenham don't really have a figurehead in the same mould, so will look to limit the Portuguese's influence on proceedings by shutting down those passing lanes and putting someone on him throughout the 90 minutes.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring a hat-trickNick Potts, PA Images / Alamy / Profimedia
Fernandes has shown petulance previously when being man-marked, and if Tottenham's players can get at him from the first whistle, he's bound to get rattled. That won't help a team that has consistently folded like a pack of cards when put under pressure.
If attack really is the best form of defence, then at least both teams have shown something in that regard in this season's competition. Only Athletic Club (30) have had more shots following high turnovers than both United (23) and Spurs (22). Furthermore, Amorim's side are also joint-top for direct attacks (32, level with Lyon).
Current form offers no clue as to who will take European title
In terms of current form, both sides have only won their European semi-finals in their most recent games. United have lost to Brentford, West Ham and Chelsea in the Premier League, whilst Tottenham have drawn with the Hammers and lost to Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
To that end, frankly, neither team have anything to lose and may just as well go for broke as they did in their Carabao Cup quarter-final.
On that occasion, the balance of play was fairly equal for the most part.
Manchester United's current formFlashscore
United just shaded possession (54% to 46%), had slightly more passes (481 to 423) and a marginally better accuracy (83% to 81%).
That game, however, will arguably be remembered for goalkeeping howlers and Spurs being 3-0 up at one point, as well as the match winner coming from Son Heung-min's goal direct from a corner.
A must-win game for both teams... and both managers
What Ruben Amorim will have been disappointed by aside from that result, and will surely try to drum it into his attackers before taking to the pitch at San Mames, is their profligacy in front of goal.
20 shots with just five on target on the night compared poorly to Spurs' nine total shots in the game with six on target.
A frustrated Rasmus Højlund during Manchester United's Europa League game against Athletic ClubNews Images, News Images LTD / Alamy / Profimedia
Clearly, it isn't just in attack where United have problems, but at least if the likes of Rasmus Hojlund et al are putting the ball in the back of the net, it gives the Red Devils half a chance of winning games.
For both sides, Wednesday night's final is a shot at redemption and a chance to make their own slice of history. For any number of reasons, it's a must-win game. For the losing manage,r it could be the beginning of the end.