Regis Le Bris must unleash ‘unstoppable’ Sunderland star in the play-off final, he’s the difference-maker

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The Championship play-off final is here. Sunderland enter the showdown against Sheffield United as underdogs, but one individual can be the difference at Wembley.

46 matches in the Championship season and two play-off games all come down to this. Sheffield United and Sunderland will go to battle at Wembley for a place in the Premier League and a shot at winning the reported £240 million prize fund.

United’s route into the final was straightforward. Chris Wilder’s men thrashed Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate, whereas the Black Cats required a 122nd-minute winner from Dan Ballard to see off Coventry City.

The stage is set at the home of English football, and the narrative is waiting to play out. Wilder’s side will expect to dominate most of the possession while Sunderland will play on the counter-attack, something that worked a treat against Coventry.

For Regis Le Bris to execute his game plan and overcome the Yorkshire giants, pace is required in wide areas, with the Frenchman surely tempted into starting one dangerous player.

• READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth made bold prediction about Sunderland star in 2015, now he’s one win from Premier League promotion

Regis Le Bris should start Romaine Mundle vs Sheffield United

In 2024/25, Romaine Mundle has experienced an injury-hit campaign, forcing him to miss 23 matches and watch his side struggle towards the end.

The 22-year-old was absent for the first leg against Coventry after being sidelined for the final six games but returned for the second, producing a fine 25-minute cameo from the bench.

Unfortunately, he didn’t train with his teammates in the days following that win, sparking fears of Mundle missing the play-off final.

However, much to the supporters’ delight, Le Bris confirmed in his press conference that he has a fully fit squad to choose from, and that means he should start the exciting winger at Wembley.

The Black Cats lack pace in wide areas without his presence, and it also forced the manager to use Enzo Le Fee as a left winger, when he’s arguably better suited to a central role.

Mundle, who has been lauded as ‘unstoppable’, can be the difference-maker for Sunderland on the left flank, opening his box of tricks, lavished skill and incredible dribbling ability to get the better of Hamza Choudhury, or whoever starts at right-back.

• READ MORE: EFL expert details why Sheffield United should win the play-off final, he disliked one thing from Sunderland vs Coventry

Patrick Roberts should drop out of the Sunderland starting lineup

Managers have to make big calls in games of this magnitude, and for Le Bris, one controversial decision he could ponder is dropping Patrick Roberts.

The 28-year-old has scored just twice from open play this term, with Sunderland fans often criticising him for his lack of consistent output.

Roberts should be axed from the lineup, meaning Eliezer Mayenda starts in a role on the right, while Le Fee operates central behind Wilson Isidor.

That combination should frighten the life out of Sheffield United and expose them on the counter-attack.