Manchester United fan Frank Ilett has been growing his hair for 18 months after vowing not to cut it until the Red Devils win five games in a row
Daniel Orme Football Writer and Neil Docking
18:22, 07 Feb 2026
Frank Ilett
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Frank Ilett has not cut his hair in over 500 days(Image: @TheUnitedStrand/INSTAGRAM)
Manchester United wally Frank Ilett is now just one victory away from finally being able to get his hair cut for the first time in 18 months.
Ilett, dubbed The United Strand across social media, vowed last year to keep growing his barnet until the Red Devils managed five consecutive wins. Under hopeless Ruben Amorim that never looked likely, as only once did the Portuguese boss manage to win just three games in a row during his entire 14 months in charge at Old Trafford
Originally from Oxford and living in Spain, Illett, 29, has pledged to donate his hair to the Little Princess Trust once he's eventually allowed to trim it. And it seems that a cut could be nearer than ever before - with him finally able to chop off the ludicrous locks he's not had cut since October 2024 since Michael Carrick changed United's fortunes.
Frank Ilett will be buzzing that Manchester United are now just one victory away from the challenge coming to an end
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Frank Ilett will be buzzing that Manchester United are now just one victory away from the challenge coming to an end(Image: @TheUnitedStrand/INSTAGRAM)
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Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Tottenham marked four straight victories under Carrick. Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes found the net to dispatch the North London outfit.
That outcome came after stunning victories against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham. Only relegation-battling West Ham - who won 2-0 away at Burnley on Saturday - now stand between United potentially achieving five on the bounce and enabling Ilett to visit the barber.
It emerged earlier this week that numerous United players were familiar with Ilett's mission. A source revealed: "The players are really enjoying their recent upturn in fortune and the vibe at the training ground is very positive.
Bryan Mbeumo scored Manchester United's opening goal against Tottenham sending them on their way to a 2-0 victory
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Bryan Mbeumo scored Manchester United's opening goal against Tottenham sending them on their way to a 2-0 victory(Image: James Gill/Danehouse)
"They are well aware of Frank because he pops up on their social media. Some of them were having a laugh and a joke and said: 'Come on, let's give this guy a haircut'."
As the end of Ilett's challenge looms, he may need to start making plans. He had previously expressed his desire to have his hair cut outside United's iconic home ground.
He stated: "It has been very difficult. But I want to do the hair cut at Old Trafford, or at least somewhere nearby. Either way, there's plenty of time to plan it!"
Frank Illet said he was 'heartbroken' after a draw against Nottingham Forest ended Manchester United's last winning run
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Frank Illet said he was 'heartbroken' after a draw against Nottingham Forest ended Manchester United's last winning run
In other news, United's goal scorer and captain Fernandes has emphasised his determination to secure a fifth consecutive win for Carrick's team. Speaking after the victory against Spurs, he said: "When we win games the confidence goes higher and higher. It is very important for us to maintain the focus and not overdo it now.
"This is very good and very nice but we need to keep going. If you don't win the next one and the next one you will get back into the same place where you don't feel comfortable, you lose confidence and struggle to believe in everything you have been doing until now.
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"But, we have been doing very well until now to do everything that Michael and the staff have been asking of us and we have been very brave taking responsibility in some moments in the game to go and play and do whatever you need to do to win the game. The main focus is the next game, it's four wins in a row, this one is nice, but we need to make it five now."