The hair challenge of 712 days
For most football clubs, success and failure are defined by points, trophies, and medals. For Manchester United, it can also be defined in days. Specifically, it can be summed up in 712 days. This is how long viral United fan Frank Ilett has gone without cutting his hair.
Ilett, who is also known online as The United Strand, is waiting for his team to win five matches in a row. He has been waiting for a very long time. His last haircut was on October 5, 2024. His hair has now grown to almost 14 inches at its longest point.
While he waits for the team to find consistency, he is using his growing hair for a good cause. Ilett continues to raise money for the Little Princess Trust. This is a charity that creates wigs for children who have cancer.
How the winning run collapsed
Manchester United actually had a great opportunity to end the challenge. Michael Carrick's side finished last season with consecutive wins over Nottingham Forest and Brighton. To complete the five game winning streak, they needed to beat newly promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town, and then finish the job with an away win at Everton.
Unfortunately for Ilett, that is not what happened. United suffered an embarrassing 2-0 away defeat to Hull City, which sent the fan right back to square one.
There was a brief moment of hope when United beat Ipswich 5-2. Fans hoped the opening defeat was just a temporary blip. However, those hopes did not last. A draw against Everton and a controversial defeat to a 10 man Manchester City side stopped any progress.
Things went from bad to worse in the Carabao Cup. United took a comfortable 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes against Brighton. Yet, they collapsed and suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat.
Now, the challenge is officially about to reach the two year mark. The only way Ilett can avoid going past the two year milestone is if United manage to win away to Fulham in their final game before the upcoming international break.
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