Frank Ilett, better known as viral Manchester United fan the ‘United Strand’ who kept growing his hair until the Red Devils won five games in a row, has ditched his locks for iconic World Cup trims
Manchester United wally Frank Ilett has stunned fans on social media after seemingly chopping off his long locks on the eve of the World Cup.
Ilett, aka the United Strand, has been growing his hair for almost two years, refusing to go for a trim until the Red Devils win five games in-a-row – something that seemed impossible under the hapless Ruben Amorim and also beyond the reach of new manager Michael Carrick so far. And now he will now have to wait until next season and at least September for United to win the remaining three games he needs, having ended the season with two victories.
However, Frank had the chance to undergo a drastic transformation for the World Cup – briefly shocking some fans who thought he had finally made a trip to the barbers – and with the help of Viagogo he has been able to imagine what he would look like with iconic cuts from the festival of football.
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Viagogo had commissioned a study for the the greatest football trim of all time. And helping them share the results, Frank rocked Carlos Valderrama’s blond curls, Chris Waddle’s mullet and David Beckham’s mohawk.
However, sadly it was all a stunt: “I know a thing or two about commitment – especially when it comes to haircuts – so I was thrilled to team up with viagogo’s World Cuts to experience three incredible transformations.
“It’s every fan’s dream to feel closer to their heroes, and I remember growing up with posters of Beckham on my wall, always wanting to play like him and look like him too.
“I may not have his iconic right foot, but at least now I’ve got the mohawk – even if it’s only temporary!” And football fans were relieved to discover Frank’s haircut wasn’t real.
Viagogo, to help fans get into the football spirit, is launching World Cuts, a one-of-a-kind barber shop experience recreating some of football’s most iconic hairstyles.
The free two-day experience will take place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June at Ruffians Barber Shop in Shoreditch, where fans can choose their footballing hero and leave transformed with a legendary tournament-inspired look.
And its these temporary looks that stunned United fans. Speaking earlier this year, he explained: “I just want to bring some joy to other Manchester United fans in this kind of weird time at the club.
“I thought it would be over in three or four months. It was meant to be a laugh, and then that would be it. But it hasn’t quite worked out like that.”
The last time United managed five consecutive wins was between January and February 2024 – they are currently on a two-game winning streak, but Frank will have to wait until the new season if he is to cut his hair.
He explained, before the end of the season on TikTok, that season friendlies don’t count towards his five-game wining streak.