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.
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.
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 
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! 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 
! 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 
. 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 
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 
, 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 
. And let's be real, being a new mum is tough enough, but adding it to her football career? 
. Her comeback story is a reminder that with hard work and determination (and a lot of love from family & friends 
.
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?
. 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 
. It shows that with hard work and determination, we can overcome any obstacle and still achieve our goals. Fingers crossed for her future performances! 
, but she comes back stronger than ever 
but she's shown everyone what she's made of 
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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 
but girl, you got this! with hard work and support from loved ones, anything is possible 
And honestly can we talk about how strong of a role model she is? 
They're all winners in my book! 
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