Viral Manchester United fan Frank Ilett reacted with devastation after his team’s draw at West Ham – denying him a long-overdue haircut.
In October 2024, Ilett pledged not to cut his hair until his beloved United won five games in a row.
United came into their trip to West Ham on the back of four consecutive wins under Michael Carrick and with Ilett eyeing up a visit to the barbers.
But Tomas Soucek left him crestfallen with a goal in the 50th minute to put the Hammers 1-0 ahead – and Nuno Espirito Santo’s side clung on for a draw, despite Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time equaliser.
Ilett’s live reaction to the goal in front of almost 100,000 viewers on streaming site Kick said everything.
The afro-toting social media star held his head for several seconds, before consoling himself with the encouragement: ‘There’s plenty of time, plenty of time.’
Frank Ilett held his head in his hands after Manchester United conceded against West Ham
He cut a dejected figure as the prospect of a first haircut in nearly 500 days receded
He reacted with joy after United’s late equaliser – but it wasn’t enough to secure him a trim
The viral supporters was inconsolable at full time in front of 180,000 viewers
Midway-through the half, Ilett and his contingent of friends went wild as they thought Casemiro had equalised.
One of them let off confetti and they danced around in front of the camera screaming, until the reality of the situation dawned on them.
A VAR check confirmed that the Brazilian had just strayed offside, and Ilett was left to slump back in his chair with a look of resignation.
Benjamin Sesko bagged a stoppage-time equaliser, causing him some brief, cautious elation, but it wasn’t enough.
After almost 500 days of waiting, and having amassed 1.3 million followers on Instagram, Ilett – known as The United Strand – is back to square one.
‘We go again for the next five,’ one of his friends said at full time, as Ilett sat pensively, with a thousand-yard stare, covering his mouth with his fingers. By this point, almost 180,000 people were watching.
‘The longer the better for the charity,’ he said, referring to how he will donate his hair to The Little Princess Trust, who provide wigs to children who have lost their hair. ‘I don’t want this to be about me.’
While his challenge has brought humour to rival fans, he has been accused of financially benefiting greatly from United’s downfall, something he denies.
Ilett (pictured on day one of the challenge in October 2024) now possesses a significant afro
Ilett says he’s not become a millionaire from his uncut hair amid Man United’s poor form
Speaking about his financial situation, he told The Sun: ‘I’m definitely not the millionaire that some people think I am. There’s been a lot of talk about making millions, but that isn’t the case.
‘It’s not as well paid as some people think. But that’s not why I started it in the first place.’
Ilett’s notorious hair has seen him since work with Paddy Power while also setting up an e-commerce business.
And his latest partnership sees him teaming up with Argos – who will fast-track a delivery of supplies if United beat West Ham to allow him to cut his hair.
Ilett, who is from Oxford but now lives in Spain, has said he will live-stream the match at the London Stadium and that if the visitors win he will donate his hair to the Little Princess Trust, a UK charity providing wigs to children who lost their hair due to illness.
Frank said: ‘I’m also doing a fundraiser for them. I think we’ve raised about £6,000 for them so far. It’s a really great charity, with great people there too,’ he continued to The Sun.
‘The length of my hair is 25cm now, which is thankfully long enough to be able to donate.’
Speaking about Ilett’s hair challenge, United boss Michael Carrick said on Monday: ‘I can say I’m aware of it, yeah. My kids have made me aware of it, if anything,’ said Carrick.
‘It certainly won’t go into the team talk, from a professional level. 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.’
His sentiments echo that of captain Bruno Fernandes who remarked after their Saturday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham: ‘I need to book for myself, I don’t look at other people. I don’t look if they need to go to the hairdresser or not, that is not important for me.’
