London, May 12th 2024: Hannah Blundell (6 Manchester United) with the trophy during the Womens FA Cup Final game between Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium, London, England on May 12th 2024 (Pedro Soares / SPP)
Hannah Blundell made her official return from maternity leave as Manchester United beat Brighton and Hove Albion 3-2 in the Women’s Super League.
It makes her the first United player in the professional era to return to play after giving birth.
The defender had a daughter, Romi, earlier this year. She played for the United under-21s in September as she looked to get minutes in her legs.
And on Sunday she replaced Jayde Riviere on 60 minutes at the Broadfield Stadium for her first Women’s Super League match since the end of the 2023-24 season.
Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner was delighted for his player.
“I’ll probably feel it on the way home, just the pride for her,” Skinner told Sky Sports after the match.
“She’s waited a long time and she’s working extremely hard. Jayde’s playing well so it’s hard for her. I thought when she came on she showed her true quality and her class that she already has. I want to congratulate her on an epic fightback to turn it around.
“Romi is a wonderful welcome addition to our team, so she gets the rewards but she also gets rewards on the field today.”
And pundit Nikita Parris – a former United player – also praised Blundell’s endeavours.
“She’s worked so hard,” she said. “A little baby girl, to come back and get into a United squad that is competing on all fronts and has a lot of quality…when you get your opportunity you have to take it and I think Hannah did well when she came on.”
Hannah Blundell: I’ll have to fight for my position
Blundell announced her pregnancy in September 2024, giving birth in March. When she confirmed her pregnancy, United immediately triggered a one-year contract extension, giving her some security while she was out on maternity leave.
Earlier in the year, she said: “It’s been amazing seeing the team and looking at it from an outsider’s perspective, it’s made me look at football in a different way, analysing it in a different way.
“So when I go back I’m sure I’ll have to fight for my position but that’s fine.”
She also revealed then that she had waited until the three-month mark to break the news to her team-mates – although Millie Turner had guessed and kept it secret from the others.
“Waiting to tell the girls after 12 weeks was hard, because I wanted to keep it a secret to make sure that everything was fine,” said Blundell.
