Viral Manchester United Fan Meets Ruben Amorim, Receives Apology
Supporter who vowed not to cut hair until team wins five consecutive games encounters former manager at football summit.
Frank Ilett, a Manchester United fan known for his vow to not cut his hair until the team achieves five consecutive victories, recently met with former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.
The encounter occurred at the Portugal Football Summit, where Amorim reportedly apologized to Ilett for the supporter's prolonged hair growth. Ilett, who has amassed 1.5 million followers on Instagram under the moniker 'The United Strand,' has not had a haircut since October 5, 2024.
Amorim, who managed Manchester United for 63 matches, acknowledged Ilett's unique commitment. "He saw me, pointed to my hair and said 'sorry about that!' Still have love for him!" Ilett shared on Instagram.
Ilett's hair-growing endeavor is also a charitable initiative. He encourages donations to the Little Princess Trust, an organization that provides wigs to children and young people experiencing hair loss due to cancer or other illnesses. He plans to donate his own hair to the charity once it is eventually cut.
Despite the attention, Ilett has stated he is not a millionaire from the stunt, emphasizing that his motivation was not financial. He has spoken about the personal challenges his long hair presents, particularly its impact on his vision.
There have been near-misses for Ilett's streak-breaking hair cut. Last season, Manchester United's pursuit of four consecutive wins was halted by a draw, a moment Ilett live-streamed to nearly 180,000 viewers.
While some figures within the club have offered mixed reactions—with captain Bruno Fernandes stating it's not his concern and Michael Carrick acknowledging the amusing nature of the situation—Ilett remains focused on his dual goals of supporting his team and contributing to charity.