<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While all football fans want their team to win every game, one Manchester United fan had extra reason to be hoping for a win this morning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Frank Ilett, better known by his social media moniker The United Strand, has gained fame in football circles for refusing to give himself a haircut until his beloved Red Devils win five games in a row.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Illet made the pledge on October 5, 2024, but Manchester United's failure to live up to their end of the bargain means it has been nearly 500 days since he has been able to get a trim.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/celine-cremer-missing-backpacker-tasmania-search-recovers-car-key-bones-teeth/50f045c1-c7cf-4f14-97ae-f029ee3da945" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>More remains, car key found in search for missing backpacker</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He has gained a large following and notoriety on social media in the last year and a half, garnering 1.3 million followers on Instagram as he shares regular updates about his hair growth.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His unruly locks, a significant change from his previous hairstyle, has now become famous, but it could soon be a thing of the past.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-gen-z-saving-money-finance/2997d3ed-70ca-4f75-8f05-8fd79a32ce5c"><strong><span>Have Gen Z finally defied the smashed avo stereotype?</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/the-united-strand-frank-ilett-hair-manchester-united-fan-500-day-long-wait-for-haircut-continues/d7db5aae-9950-4c5f-95c0-76dc684382bb" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Manchester United have finally found some good form, four games in a row in all competitions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That meant there was a massive chance Illet's wait would end if they could beat relegation battlers West Ham United this morning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/chatgpt-caricature-trend-ai-privacy-concerns-cyber-experts-opinion/84a56b13-bd26-420a-8298-3b6c6f65b0af" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>'Dicey': The ChatGPT caricature trend isn't as harmless as you may think</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Such was the anticipation of the drought potentially breaking, Ilett even live streamed a watch along for the game.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, the drought was not broken, as Manchester United could only salvage a 1-1 draw late on thanks to a stoppage time goal from Benjamin Sesko, having been trailing for much of the second half at the London Stadium.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This means the clock resets, and Ilett's wait for a trim will extend well over 500 days. Given Manchester United's inconsistencies, it could even span into the two year mark.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ilett has said when the time finally comes to shave off his iconic hair do, he will donate the hair to charity.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w"><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine"><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></p></li></ul></div></div>