Manchester United supporter Frank Ilett could finally get his hair cut this week, with his side having the opportunity to win a fifth successive match under Michael Carrick
Frank Ilett
Manchester United are now just one victory away from the challenge coming to an end(Image: @TheUnitedStrand/INSTAGRAM)
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Michael Carrick is keen to make if five straight wins for Manchester United, but says the fan who has gone viral for not cutting his hair won't be mentioned in his pre-match team talk. United travel to in-form West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday night hoping to continue their perfect start under Carrick - and another win would have a knock-on effect.
Supporter Frank Ilett has vowed not to cut his hair until United rack up five victories on the spin. He started posting on social media about the idea in October 2024 and is currently over 500 days without a trim.
Known as The United Strand, he has amassed over two million followers on social media, with his bushy hair going viral during the difficult times under Ruben Amorim. But Carrick's arrival as interim manager last month has raised the prospect of it coming to an end.
Carrick has overseen wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham and it's now just West Ham who can stop Ilett from getting his wild mane chopped. "I can say I'm aware of it, yeah," Carrick said when asked about Ilett in his pre-match press conference.
"My kids have made me aware of it, if anything, but 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."
United captain Bruno Fernandes was asked a similar question after scoring in the 2-0 win over 10-man Spurs on Saturday, but gave it short shrift. "I need to book for myself, I don’t look at other people," Fernandes said. “I don't look if they need to go to the hair dresser or not, that is not important for me.”
United have been transformed under Carrick's leadership and sit fourth in the Premier League after their winning run. West Ham, by contrast, occupy the final relegation spot in 18th place, but three wins in their last four matches will make them a tricky prospect at the London Stadium.
Frank Ilett
Frank Ilett has not cut his hair in over 500 days(Image: @TheUnitedStrand/INSTAGRAM)
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Frank Ilett
But a haircut could be around the corner
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"You definitely take the confidence and the feeling from the games that you've had knowing you can go into the next game with a little bit more feel-good factor about it," Carrick said.
"I guess the big challenge is knowing what's got you there and all the hard work and the preparation and then what it takes to win a game of football at this level is tough, so never assuming the next one's just going to be alright."
Carrick confirmed that his side will be without Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt, who are still recovering from injuries. United will have a 12-day break after the West Ham game due to their exit from the FA Cup.
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