Hannah Blundell: Manchester United defender makes 'epic fightback' to play again after pregnancy

Manchester United defender Hannah Blundell has made an epic fightback to play again for her team after pregnancy, with a half-hour cameo against Brighton on Sunday marking the end of 533 days out of the game.

Blundell's comeback is all the more remarkable given that she was just 16 months into her return to football after giving birth to her daughter. The former Chelsea player joined United in 2021 and was a regular starter for three seasons, lifting the FA Cup in May last year.

However, Blundell's pregnancy and subsequent maternity leave meant she had been unable to play competitively for almost two years.

Despite missing most of the campaign, United extended their unbeaten start to the Women's Super League season with a 3-2 win at Brighton on Sunday. Her first appearance in over a year sparked celebration among her teammates, with manager Marc Skinner praising Blundell's return as a "big boost" for the team.

Blundell herself described the experience of returning to football after having a baby as "a real challenge", but said she had been working hard to get back into shape and was eager to be part of the squad again. Her comeback also marked a significant milestone in her journey, with many considering it one of the most remarkable stories in women's football.

Blundell's return is a testament to her dedication and perseverance, as well as the support of her teammates, coaches, and family. It is an inspiration to other female footballers who may be facing similar challenges, and a reminder that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

OMG, I'm literally so hyped for Hannah Blundell's comeback!!! 533 days without playing football? That's insane! But you know what's even more amazing? Her dedication and perseverance . I mean, giving birth to a daughter at 16 months into her return to football? Talk about multitasking ! And to think she's back in the game now, being part of the squad again... it's just so inspiring . This is what sports are all about - overcoming obstacles and pushing through challenges . I'm definitely following her journey from now on .

OMG, I'm getting chills just thinking about Hannah Blundell's comeback ! 533 days out of the game?! That's insane! And she was only back in football for 16 months after having her daughter ‍. The dedication and perseverance shown by this girl is truly inspiring. She's a reminder that with hard work and determination, you can overcome any obstacle . I'm so happy to see her back on the pitch celebrating with her teammates ! Marc Skinner's praise for Blundell is well-deserved - she's a true role model for young girls everywhere . And let's be real, who else can say they've been out of football for almost 2 years and then come back like this? Hannah Blundell's comeback is a testament to the power of motherhood and determination ‍!

I'm so proud of Hannah Blundell for making it back onto the pitch after having a baby! 533 days without playing is insane , but she's clearly shown that with dedication and perseverance, you can overcome anything. I love how her teammates were all cheering her on - it's amazing to see the support within a team like that . And let's be real, being back in the game after having a baby is already a huge achievement - it's not just about getting back into shape, but also balancing life and football . Hannah's comeback story is definitely one of the most inspiring ones I've seen in a while - she's proof that with hard work, anything is possible !

can you believe this girl's comeback story 16 months back from giving birth to have the guts to come back into the game & now she's making a half hour cameo after almost two years out? that's like coming back from a coma or something her dedication & perseverance are truly inspiring, especially for all the mums out there trying to balance family life & their passion for football. and i love how her teammates & coaches have been supporting her every step of the way she's definitely an inspiration to many & a shining example of what it means to be a strong woman in sport

I don’t usually comment but I just wanted to say how amazing Hannah Blundell's comeback story is ! 533 days without playing footy, can you even imagine? And she’s only 16 months back from having a kid, it’s crazy! She must have been so focused on getting her body back in shape and being with her daughter. I love how proud her teammates are of her too , it’s clear that the squad is super supportive. As for the game itself, I think it was awesome that United won 3-2, even if Blundell only got to play half an hour . It just goes to show that with hard work and dedication, you can overcome anything and still achieve great things. Kudos to Hannah, she’s definitely a true inspiration !

I'm so proud of Hannah Blundell for making it back onto the pitch after 533 days out! That's like, forever in football terms . I mean, being a new mum is tough enough without having to deal with the pressure of competing at that level. She's got spirit and dedication, you can see why she was lifted up by her teammates when she came on . And yeah, it's not just about her, it's also about setting an example for other female players who might be going through similar stuff. We should all give it up for Hannah!

I'm beyond proud of Hannah Blundell for chasing her dreams again! 533 days without playing and she's back in the game like nothing ever happened . It's an amazing testament to her dedication, perseverance, and love for football . And let's be real, being a new mum is tough enough, but adding it to her football career? She's an inspiration to so many female footballers out there who might be facing similar challenges . Her comeback story is a reminder that with hard work and determination (and a lot of love from family & friends ), we can overcome anything and achieve our goals .

I mean, can we talk about this in terms of policy? I mean, what's the deal with maternity leave in sports, right? It seems like some teams are doing great job supporting their players, like Manchester United here, but others might not be as understanding. Like, is there a national standard for maternity leave or something?

And it got me thinking, how does this relate to work-life balance in general? If you're a female athlete, do you have the same rights and protections as male athletes when it comes to taking time off for personal reasons? Shouldn't we be promoting equality here?

I'm so stoked for Hannah Blundell's comeback! 533 days out of the game? That's dedication like . It's not just about her individual effort, but also the support system she has around her - teammates, coaches, family... it's a huge team effort . What's even more inspiring is that she's back in the game just when she needs to be for the team, no need for extra attention or sympathy . It shows that with hard work and determination, we can overcome any obstacle and still achieve our goals. Fingers crossed for her future performances!

Yaaas , I'm so stoked for Hannah Blundell! 533 days out of the game? That's like, forever , but she comes back stronger than ever ! As a fitness enthusiast myself, I know how tough it is to get back into shape after having a baby, and I have so much respect for her dedication and perseverance . And let's be real, 3-2 win over Brighton? That's like, a total goal fest ! United's unbeaten start is all thanks to their squad, including Hannah, and it's amazing to see the team's unity and spirit . This comeback story is giving me major motivation to crush my fitness goals !

awww she's such an inspiration I can only imagine how tough it must've been for her to come back to the game after having a baby but she's shown everyone what she's made of and I'm so proud of her for not giving up, even when things got tough her comeback is definitely one of the most amazing stories in women's football right now

I'm not entirely convinced by Hannah Blundell's comeback story... 533 days out of the game is a pretty significant gap, especially considering she was only 16 months into her return to football after having a baby . How did she manage to go that long without playing competitively? Was it really just a case of being a new mom and not knowing how to balance everything? I'd love to see some more info on how she trained during her maternity leave, or if there were any concerns raised about her fitness level. Not trying to be a party pooper, but I think we need more context here

I'm loving this comeback story! Hannah Blundell's journey back to the pitch after maternity leave is truly inspiring. I mean, 533 days out of the game? That's dedication right there. And to be able to make a cameo like that and still bring some energy to the team? Iconic. The fact that she's been working so hard to get back in shape is clear, and it's amazing to see her achieve this milestone. It's not just about her, though - it's about all the other mums out there who might be thinking of getting back into sports or fitness after having a kid. This girl is proof that you can do anything if you put your mind to it . United's team management deserves some props too for giving her another chance, and I love how Blundell's teammates celebrated her return - it's clear they've got her back .

OMG this comeback story is literally giving me all the feels!!! 533 days out of the game? no joke! but you know what's even more impressive? she went back to it just 16 months after having her baby! that's like, dedication on a whole other level . i'm so hyped for her and the team, they totally deserved that win . and honestly, it's not just about Hannah Blundell's comeback, it's about all the women out there who might be facing similar struggles and feeling like giving up but girl, you got this! with hard work and support from loved ones, anything is possible

OMG I'm literally so hyped for Hannah Blundell!! She's been through so much since giving birth to her daughter but she never gave up on her dreams And honestly can we talk about how strong of a role model she is? Being a mom and still being able to play football at such a high level is just insane! I love that the team was so supportive of her return it's amazing to see the squad come together like that Marc Skinner saying her comeback is a "big boost" for the team totally made my day And can we talk about how inspiring this story is? To all the moms out there who are chasing their dreams, no matter what, you got this!

OMG, I'm literally over the moon for Hannah Blundell!!! Her comeback story is literally everything - from being a regular starter at Chelsea to taking maternity leave and now making her return to Manchester United after almost 2 years out of the game... it's just WOW! And can you even imagine how hard she must have had to work to get back in shape? I mean, 533 days out of the game is insane, but seeing her on the pitch again was like a dream come true for her teammates . Marc Skinner is so right when he says it's a big boost for the team - Blundell's dedication and perseverance are truly inspiring! This is definitely one for the history books, and I'm so here for it!

OMG u guyz! Hannah Blundell's comeback story is literally AMAZING!!! 533 days without playing football and she's back in the game like it never happened I mean I know pregnancies can be tough, but this girl has been through so much already, giving birth to her daughter and all. And now she's out there giving it her all, scoring goals and being part of her team again It's not just about her though, it's also about the support from her loved ones, coaches and teammates They're all winners in my book!

You know, I was watching this match between Manchester United & Brighton, and it made me think about how we balance our personal lives with our passions. Hannah Blundell's comeback story is truly inspiring, but it also highlights the sacrifices we make for our loved ones. Becoming a mother can be all-consuming, just like chasing your dreams in football . It's beautiful to see her get back out there and give everything she has, but at the same time, I wonder how that experience shapes her perspective on life? Does it change the way she approaches challenges or opportunities? And what about the emotional toll of taking a break from something you love for so long? Does she ever feel like she's losing herself in the process? Those are the questions that really interest me .

omg i'm soooo hyped 4 hannah blundell!!! she's literally the ultimate girlboss, working so hard 2 get back into shape & now shes back on the pitch 2 help her team win! i mean, 533 days out of the game is no joke, but she didn't give up & look at her now, making a half hour cameo & getting the crowd pumped up ! my fave manager marc skinner says she's a big boost 4 the team & i can see why, shes got that fire in her belly can't wait 2 c her play more & watch them win all the games together