Manchester United fan Frank Ilett, who has gone viral for refusing to get a haircut until the Red Devils win five games in a row, was attacked by a fellow supporter at their game against Chelsea on Saturday.
Ilett, who is known on social media as The United Strand, began the challenge last October as a way to ‘spread some humour’ amid a difficult period for the club.
His journey has seen the fan gain significant fame, with Ilett having 364,000 followers on Instagram.
On his page he provides daily updates of how his hair is looking – and he now possesses a significant afro – while he also comments on other issues and news relating to United.
He has passed 351 days in the challenge, but the Red Devils’ best run during that time was three successive victories back in January.
Ilett’s humorous attempt to make light of United’s situation has generally been welcomed, but things turned nasty at Old Trafford on Saturday where the Red Devils beat Chelsea 2-1.
Manchester United fan Frank Ilett, who has gone viral for refusing to get a haircut until the Red Devils win five games in a row, was attacked by a fellow supporter at their game vs Chelsea
Ilett is into day 351 of the challenge and he has more than 360,000 followers on Instagram
The furious supporter, who seemed to take issue with Ilett’s challenge, said ‘F*** off, f*** off, I’ll do what I f***ing want’ as he attacked him in a rage
In what appeared to be the concourse at the stadium, Ilett was approached by another fan who proceeded to grab his hair and attempted to shove him to the ground.
Ilett was pulled away but looked taken aback by the ordeal and managed to get some distance from the other fan who was restrained.
The furious supporter, who seemed to take issue with Ilett’s challenge, then said: ‘F*** off, f*** off, I’ll do what I f***ing want.
‘Listen, he’s not a United f***ing fan, so f*** off, f*** off.’
In the video, which went viral on social media, the fan then attempted to make a move for Ilett again but was unsuccessful.
Posting on his Instagram page after the victory, it didn’t appear that Ilett’s day was soured by the incident, however.
Sharing a photo of himself in the stands, he said: ‘What a place. Wet hair, but still a smile on my face! A big win today! What a crazy game it was in the end! 1 down, 4 to go. COME ON UNITED!’
Ilett looked shaken up by the incident following the unprovoked attack by the fellow fan
Ilett (pictured on day one of the challenge last October) now possesses a significant afro
Meanwhile, speaking to the BBC this week, Ilett admitted the challenge has gone on for ‘a lot longer than I ever expected’.
He said: ‘It’s been an absolutely crazy journey – I never expected my hair, or my following, to be as big as it has become.’
Eyeing up a favourable run towards the end of November and early December, Ilett added: ‘I’m hopeful that maybe by the end of the year, maybe I’ll get a haircut.
‘The perfect ending would be one of the players to cut it at Old Trafford.’
The victory against Chelsea means United have one of the magic five wins in a row Ilett requires.
They travel to Brentford next week before hosting Sunderland ahead of the October international break.
