Frank Ilett, a 29-year-old Manchester United fan and social media personality known online as The United Strand, is on the brink of ending one of football’s most viral fan challenges.
Ilett launched his “no win, no hair trim” challenge on October 5, 2024, pledging not to cut his hair until Manchester United win five consecutive matches. As of February 10, 2026, the challenge has stretched close to 500 days, leaving him with a large afro that has drawn comparisons to former United midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
Manchester United have now won four straight matches, meaning just one more victory would finally allow Ilett to cut his hair. That decisive opportunity comes tonight as United face West Ham away at the London Stadium.
When the interim Manchester United coach was asked about the West Ham fixture, he said:
We will treat the west ham match on tuesday as if it were a champions league final, i really want that guy with the weirld hair cut to disappear
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, with kick-off at 20:15 British time. West Ham enter the game struggling, having lost 3:2 to Chelsea weeks ago and currently sitting 18th in the Premier League table, three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
Softfootball believes Manchester United will defeat West Ham, a result that would not only mark a fifth straight win for the Red Devils but also bring an emotional end to Ilett’s long-running challenge. Such an outcome would further deepen West Ham’s relegation troubles as the season reaches a critical stage.
