Manchester United Women's Team Mocks Fan's Hair Growth Pledge
Players from Manchester United's women's team have playfully teased devoted Red Devils supporter Frank Ilett, who continues to uphold his promise not to cut his hair until the men's side secures five consecutive victories. Ilett, who has refrained from trimming his locks since October 2024—nearly five hundred days ago—came heartbreakingly close to achieving his objective on Tuesday when United entered their Premier League clash against West Ham United riding a four-match winning streak.
Streak Snapped as Women's Team Shines
Despite a late equaliser from Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United could only manage a draw against West Ham, marking the first time they failed to win under manager Michael Carrick and resetting the required streak. In stark contrast, United's women's team, managed by Marc Skinner, have triumphantly won six matches in a row. Had Ilett originally pledged to grow his hair until either the men's or women's side achieved five straight wins, he could have been clean-shaven by now.
Skinner's squad has been undefeated since drawing with Arsenal on January 10, securing victories over Burnley, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Leicester prior to Thursday. Subsequently, in the Champions League, they defeated Atletico Madrid 3-0, with players choosing to mock Ilett during their celebrations.
Viral Fan's Agony and Charity Commitment
The viral Manchester United fan, known as The United Strand on social media, has amassed over 1.3 million followers on Instagram during his lengthy hair growth journey. Ilett's live reaction to Tomas Soucek's opening goal for West Ham, broadcast to almost one hundred thousand viewers on streaming platform Kick, encapsulated his despair as he held his head in his hands before muttering, 'There's plenty of time, plenty of time.'
After the full-time whistle, with nearly one hundred and eighty thousand people watching, Ilett sat pensively with a thousand-yard stare, covering his mouth with his fingers as a friend remarked, 'We go again for the next five.' Ilett emphasised that his challenge is not about personal gain, stating, 'The longer the better for the charity,' referring to his plan to donate his hair to The Little Princess Trust, an organisation that provides wigs to children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions.
Professional Jibes and Managerial Reactions
During the Champions League victory, United women's players Elisabeth Terland and Maya Le Tissier mimicked cutting their ponytails in a lighthearted jab at Ilett's predicament. They were not the only professionals to poke fun; West Ham United's assistant manager Paco Jemez reportedly aimed a cheeky dig at Ilett ahead of the match, telling Spanish television, 'I saw the Manchester United fan with the hair (Frank Ilett) and I told him: "You're not getting a haircut today."'
Meanwhile, Manchester United men's manager Michael Carrick acknowledged awareness of the viral saga, noting, 'My kids have made me aware of it, if anything. I can understand what's going on with it and it does make me smile but it won't have an impact ultimately in the end.' Despite accusations from some quarters that Ilett has financially benefited from United's struggles, which he denies, his charitable commitment and the humour surrounding his pledge continue to captivate football fans globally.
