While all football fans want their team to win every game, one Manchester United fan had extra reason to be hoping for a win this morning.
Frank Ilett, better known by his social media moniker The United Strand, has gained fame in football circles for refusing to give himself a haircut until his beloved Red Devils win five games in a row.
Illet made the pledge on October 5, 2024, but Manchester United’s failure to live up to their end of the bargain means it has been nearly 500 days since he has been able to get a trim.
Frank Ilett’s afro has become iconic in football circles. (Instagram/@TheUnitedStrand)
He has gained a large following and notoriety on social media in the last year and a half, garnering 1.3 million followers on Instagram as he shares regular updates about his hair growth.
His unruly locks, a significant change from his previous hairstyle, has now become famous, but it could soon be a thing of the past.
Ilett’s hair before he made the pledge. (Instagram/The United Strand)
Manchester United have finally found some good form, four games in a row in all competitions.
That meant there was a massive chance Illet’s wait would end if they could beat relegation battlers West Ham United this morning.
Manchester United’s failure to win means Ilett’s wait for a haircut will span well over 500 days. (Getty)
Such was the anticipation of the drought potentially breaking, Ilett even live streamed a watch along for the game.
However, the drought was not broken, as Manchester United could only salvage a 1-1 draw late on thanks to a stoppage time goal from Benjamin Sesko, having been trailing for much of the second half at the London Stadium.
This means the clock resets, and Ilett’s wait for a trim will extend well over 500 days. Given Manchester United’s inconsistencies, it could even span into the two year mark.
Ilett has said when the time finally comes to shave off his iconic hair do, he will donate the hair to charity.
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