Marc Skinner spoke of the “pride”
he felt for Manchester United defender Hannah Blundell when she came on during Sunday's WSL win over Brighton, marking her return to the pitch after 18 months following pregnancy and maternity leave.
Our 2022/23 Players' Player of the Year gave birth to Romi in March, her first child, sitting out last season while pregnant. She returned to training at the start of pre-season and has been working towards full fitness ever since.
The versatile full-back returned to the bench for the first time for the visit of former club Chelsea last month, and was brought on at right-back for the final half hour against Brighton, contributing to the 3-2 victory after replacing Jayde Riviere.
Skinner called it a “fantastic story”
in a post-match interview with Sky Sports.
“She's waited a long time and she's working extremely hard,”
the boss explained. “You know, Jayde is playing well so it's hard for her, but I thought when she came in, she showed the true quality and class that she already has.
”I want to congratulate her on an epic fightback to come in here and turn it around, fantastic. Romi is a wonderful, welcome addition to our team. She gets the rewards, but she also gets rewards on the field today.“
In his chat with MUTV, Skinner noted the footballing significance.
”We need her back. It's not just nice to have her as a token, we need her,“ he said. ”Hannah Blundell was one of the most consistent performers, before she brought a wonderful life into the world, and now we need to get her back to that standard. I expect that of her because she's a top quality player, top quality person and top quality mother, so she's going to bring that.“
Blundell herself told MUTV: “It's been a long time coming, but just to be back on the pitch with the girls. I've been working hard in training for this moment and I'm so happy that I've finally been able to get that in this game.
”I felt comfortable when I came on. The competitive side of me is never going to be happy with letting the two goals in, but it's just nice to be back in the mix again.“
'IT'S ABOUT THE WIN'
Skinner conceded that a lack in fluidity from United, uncharacteristic in the early weeks of the season, is fairly “typical”
straight after an international break that saw players head off all over the world and limited to only minimal time back together after their varying returns.
“We've got a few players on different wavelengths, just because naturally they've only had a day training, really,” the boss further told the Sky Sports cameras.
“So, I think more importantly, it's about the win today. It was about getting the win, some great goals and of course, Lisa [Naalsund]'s finish, sums it up. She's been working on that so well done to her.”
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