Chris Wilder declared his side’s loss as one that will sting for quite some time after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland.

The Blades’ hoped to end their 100-year wait for glory at Wembley but were stunted by a scintillating comeback from the Black Cats, who will now return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.

Wilder said: “It’s going to take quite a while to get over this. We’re going to have to suffer and go through the paces.

“The opportunities that came around for the opposition, they took and punished us severely.

“We will get over it as a Football Club. You get judged on how you handle your good moments, but also how you get over the disappointments and the things that go against you.”

Sheffield United are only the second side to fall short of promotion to the Premier League despite capping off the season with a tall 90 points.

Only Leeds United have suffered the same fate, losing 1-0 to Southampton in last year’s Play-Off Final.

Despite the heartache, Wilder remains positive in the strengths his side showcased over the season.

“Conceding those poor goals was unlike us,” he said. “We have kept clean sheets and we’ve defended really well at times right the way through the season.

“We’re in a sport that’s not straightforward. These things can happen in a one-off game. It’s not gone for us but it was in our hands and we have to deal with that, and accept that.”