A Manchester United fan hasn't had a haircut in two years in hopes of winning five titles

Frank Ilett, a fan of England’s Manchester United, hasn’t had a haircut since October 5, 2024, as he waits for the team to win five games in a row. Today, October 5, marks exactly two years since the start of his unusual challenge.

During this time, the fan’s hair has grown so long that he’s already had to braid it into dreadlocks. Ilett began this challenge with the condition that he wouldn’t get a haircut until Manchester United won five games in a row.

Exactly two years ago today, I decided to start this challenge. To be honest, I didn’t think anything would come of it, but I just figured it would be a fun way to bring a little humor to other Manchester United fans, since we weren’t going through the best of times back then. Part of the reason I decided to start the challenge was because I felt we were being a bit underestimated. A few months earlier, we’d won the FA Cup (and a few months before that, we’d won it five times in a row), but by that point in the 2024–25 season, we’d already played 10 matches... 3 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses. Unfortunately, we’ve continued to struggle ever since, and it’s lasted MUCH longer than I ever expected,” Ilett wrote on Instagram.

He noted that “MU” has already played 7 games this season, in which it has recorded 2 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, adding that he really hopes the club will be able to turn this season around, get back on a winning streak, and compete for trophies again.

Contrary to what some people might think, I really do want those five wins and a new hairstyle to come as soon as possible. I won’t pretend it hasn’t been an interesting journey… I’m infinitely grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve gained through this. I’ve met incredible people, made real dreams come true, and enjoyed this journey. But that wasn’t my plan. I never thought this would interest so many people, never thought it would last this long, and never thought I’d become a ‘social media personality’ or a ‘content creator,’” added Ilett.

On this very day, October 5, 2024, “MU” fan Frank Ilett launched a challenge: not to get a haircut until the English club won five consecutive victories. It was on October 5, 2024, that Ilett had his last haircut.

It’s worth noting that the Englishman began the challenge when Eric ten Hag was coaching Manchester United. The day before, Manchester United had drawn 3–3 with Porto in the Europa League, and the very next day after the challenge began, the team played to a 0–0 draw with Aston Villa.

In total, the challenge has already spanned three Manchester United managers—ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, and Michael Carrick, who currently coaches the “Red Devils.”

Ilett came closest to a trip to the barber in February of this year. At that time, Manchester United first defeated their archrival, Manchester City, 2–0, then beat Arsenal 3–2, followed by a 3–2 victory over Fulham, followed by a 2-0 win over Tottenham. However, in the fifth and decisive match, Manchester United managed to draw with West Ham, 1-1.

In September, Ilett met with Ruben Amorim and shared a photo on Instagram. According to him, Amorim apologized to the fan.

“He saw me, pointed at my hair, and said, ‘Sorry about that.’ I still love him,” Ilett wrote.

It’s worth noting that Ilett’s hair had grown so long that he eventually had to go to a barber to get dreadlocks. 

The fan’s story also caught the attention of Manchester City forward Erling Haaland, who recently changed his hairstyle himself.

People on social media began joking that he did it because of the “Man Utd” fan’s challenge. Ilett himself dismissed this theory in the comments under an Instagram post: “Personally, I don’t think it has anything to do with that. If that were the case, he would have gotten a haircut after the fifth win, in the match against United, not after the seventh, against Sunderland."

Goland replied to the Englishman’s comment: “Get a haircut, man.”

This was reported on the fan’s Instagram page.

Manchester United earned its first win of the WSL season — Sky Sports News.

Manchester United beat Liverpool 1-0 in the WSL — The Guardian.