Frank Ilett’s hair challenge could end if Michael Carrick makes it five at West Ham | OneFootball

If Manchester United secure a fifth straight win at West Ham on Tuesday at 21:15, Frank Ilett’s 493-day hair challenge would end.

L'Équipe reports that the 29-year-old supporter, now based in Spain, vowed in October 2024 not to cut his hair until the next run of five United victories. As attention snowballed, he hired an image rights agency and even staged a press conference.

He began during Erik Ten Hag’s tenure. Interim bosses Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Darren Fletcher, then Ruben Amorim, could not trigger the streak. Michael Carrick has started with four wins and could be the one to bring it to an end, while Ilett has 1.2 million Instagram followers.

Ilett said some fans want Michael Carrick to cut his hair, and AI-generated images depicting the scene have circulated on social media in recent days.

Carrick said his children had told him about the story and that it would not feature in professional team talks. He added that he understands what is happening and it makes him smile, though it will have no impact.

Ilett said that, even if it ends his online buzz, he wants a Manchester United win on Tuesday because he is a supporter first. He plans to get a buzz cut and start from scratch, and will donate his hair to the Little Princess Trust. He intends to keep posting, saying he has become an influencer by accident.

Source: L'Équipe