The United Strand: A Year Without a Haircut, a Promise Only Five Wins Can Break

The United Strand: A Year Without a Haircut, a Promise Only Five Wins Can Break

It started as a joke. The sort of half-serious, half-desperate pact a fan made in the hope that the gods of football might finally smile on Manchester United again.

Spoiler, they have not.

Frank Illet, better known as The United Strand, is a social media influencer who gained fame for refusing to cut his hair until Manchester United won five games in a row.

At the time of this publication—6th October 2025—Illet has gone 366 days without a haircut. His challenge, which began on October 5, 2024, has seen his hair grow from a simple buzz cut to a mop of hair dyed red to mark his one-year anniversary.

1 Year. 58 Matchdays.

Current Streak - 1/5 👀

Wins - 23
Draws - 15
Losses - 20#manchesterunited #hairchallenge #manunited #hairgrowth #montagevideo pic.twitter.com/TW6rNboG8m

— TheUnitedStrand (@TheUnitedStrand) October 5, 2025

What was once a light-hearted challenge has developed into something strangely more symbolic. It has become a reflection of the pain, patience, and stubborn hope that comes with supporting the Red Devils in this current era of false hope.

“I started this challenge as a way to spread humour and positivity to fellow Man United fans,” he says. “I only thought it would go on for a few months and never expected it to still be going, a year on.”

Frank's hair now covers his entire head and flops down around his neck and shoulders—a visible record of each faltered run, each brief flicker of form cut short by another slip.

Frank's hair at day one of the challenge

The streak that came closest still stings: “In January and February of 2025, Man United won three in a row against Rangers, Fulham and FCSB, before losing to Palace, then winning against Leicester in the next game. If it wasn't for that Palace game, the challenge would have been over!”

Instead, it’s continued—through Ruben Amorim’s insistence on his 3-4-3 formation, the ownership saga, the cycle of hope and deflation that United fans know too well.

Each failed run is another week without scissors, and more suffering for all United fans.

And the suffering that one United fan felt was pushed onto Frank. After Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 on the 20th September, Frank was disgustingly attacked by a fan in the concourse. “It was a bit of a weird situation. I thought he was joking to start with, but unfortunately not!

“I'm hoping it was just a one-off, and I have been trying to focus on all the positive interactions and support, which has been 99% of what I've received since doing this.”

United Strand attacked by stranger at Old Trafford last night, absolutely shocking!pic.twitter.com/hIYMsp27s8

— centredevils. (@centredevils) September 21, 2025

It shows the blurred line between fandom and frustration. Frank never set out to become a social media ‘influencer’; he started it out as a joke, but it made him a star. His mix of self-deprecation, humour, and his set of hair has turned him into one of the most recognisable faces online.

“It's been a crazy and amazing journey!” he said, “I had no thoughts of becoming a 'content creator' at all. I just thought it would be a laugh. I think I can say I have achieved the goal of making some people laugh at least.”

Frank also added that even after he has completed the seemingly impossible challenge, he hopes to “Continue to bring a smile to people's faces with some other football-related content.”

The balance between banter and belief is what makes Frank such an attractive character to follow. Despite everything that has gone on over the past year, Frank offers a kind, warm face n a fanbase that has often felt fractured and fatigued. There is no bitterness in his tone, nor cynicism in his humour.

The challenge alone has been frustrating for every United fan, but for Frank, the added issue of his hair has made the challenge a nightmare at times. “The most difficult part has probably been dealing with the summer heat, while my hair engulfs my face, as well as how much time it takes to wash, dry and brush each day!” Frank said.

And yet with all Frank has had to deal with, he has still found time to turn this into something bigger—a genuinely meaningful cause.

Once the fifth win finally comes—and it will come—Frank has pledged to donate his hair to the Little Princess Trust, where it will be used to make wigs for children who’ve lost their own through illness.

Frank talked me through the Little Princess Trust when he said, “They do some amazing work by making wigs for young cancer patients. I have set up a fundraiser for them already and want to continue to help them, help others!”

In a way, that sentiment captures everything about Frank. What could have been a small, insignificant challenge has been replaced by something that captures people’s hearts.

Until United can manage to string five wins together, the challenge will continue. But during this time, Frank will keep the faith—and the flow.

Please consider donating to The Little Princess Trust. Even the smallest amount of money can make a huge difference. Please donate here - justgiving.com/page/theunitedstrand