A Manchester United supporter who has become an internet sensation for refusing to cut his hair until the club wins five consecutive matches was violently assaulted by another fan at Old Trafford following Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
Frank Ilett, 29, known online as “The United Strand”, was grabbed by his hair and dragged in the stadium concourse by an aggressive supporter who shouted “he’s not a United f***ing fan” before other fans intervened to protect him. The shocking incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has sparked outrage amongst the football community.
The assault occurred moments after United’s crucial Premier League win, with footage showing the unnamed attacker approaching Ilett, who was surrounded by fellow supporters taking selfies and chatting with him. The aggressor grabbed Ilett’s long hair and violently yanked him downwards whilst shaking him aggressively.
Initially, Ilett appeared to believe it was a friendly joke, but the situation quickly escalated as the attacker continued pulling his hair with increasing force. Other supporters immediately stepped in to separate the two, pulling the aggressive fan away from Ilett.
“F*** off, f*** off, I’ll do what I fing want,” the attacker shouted as he was restrained. “Listen, he’s not a United fing fan, so f*** off!”
Speaking after the incident, Ilett revealed the full extent of the attack to The Sun: “Yeah, it was a bit weird to be honest. I thought he was just joking to start with, but then he started yanking my hair and calling me an ‘attention-seeking c***’.”
The 29-year-old fan from Spain has gained over 364,000 Instagram followers and 227,000 on other platforms since beginning his hair-growing challenge on 5 October 2024, nearly a year ago. His commitment to not cutting his hair until Manchester United win five games in a row has transformed him into a cult figure amongst supporters, with his daily video updates attracting millions of views.
“The whole day was full of hundreds of positive interactions yesterday and 99 per cent of all of the reactions to this challenge has been nice,” Ilett explained. “But just a few people can ruin it.”
The challenge, which began as “a bit of fun” during United’s poor run of form last October, has now stretched to 352 days without a haircut. Ilett started the protest after United’s disappointing start to the 2024-25 season, when they sat in 14th place following their worst beginning to a campaign since 1989.
“I didn’t expect it to go on for this long. I thought it would be a few months,” Ilett told NBC News earlier this year. “A funny little thing to do. Make some Man United fans laugh in a tough time, and then that would be it, it would be all over. We’d be back to normal, back to winning ways. But it hasn’t quite worked out like that.”
What makes the attack particularly distressing is that Ilett’s challenge serves a charitable purpose. He has pledged to donate his hair to The Little Princess Trust, a UK-based charity that creates real-hair wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment. He has also raised funds for the mental health charity Mind through his campaign.
“My intention with this challenge was never to highlight Man United’s flaws,” Ilett emphasised following the assault. “It was always to spread humour and positivity in a difficult time for the club.”
The viral fan has even appeared on television programmes including The Last Leg to raise awareness for his charitable causes. His dedication has seen him endure nearly a year of increasingly unmanageable hair, with followers regularly requesting different styles for his daily update videos.
Despite the traumatic experience at Old Trafford, Ilett remained in good spirits, posting on Instagram after the match: “What a place! Wet hair, but still with a smile on my face!”
In a video update on Sunday morning, day 352 of his challenge, Ilett thanked supporters for their messages but chose not to dwell on the incident. “I’ll talk about it a bit more some other time. I just want to say thank you for all of the support,” he said.
The assault has drawn widespread condemnation from the football community, with many supporters calling for the aggressive fan to be identified and banned from Old Trafford. Manchester United has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, though witnesses reported the attacker to stadium security.
Former players and pundits have also rallied around Ilett, with many praising the charitable nature of his campaign and condemning the violence. The incident has raised questions about fan behaviour and stadium security, particularly given that it occurred in full view of numerous other supporters.
Ilett’s challenge has resonated with United fans during a difficult period for the club. After starting under manager Erik ten Hag, who was sacked in October 2024, the team has struggled for consistency under new manager Ruben Amorim. The club’s inability to string together five consecutive victories in any competition highlights their ongoing struggles.
Saturday’s win over Chelsea marked just the first step towards potentially ending Ilett’s hair-growing ordeal. United face Brentford away next weekend before hosting Sunderland, with supporters hoping the team can finally deliver the winning run that would allow their viral fan to visit a barber.
“I’m hopeful that maybe by the end of the year, maybe I’ll get a haircut,” Ilett said optimistically before the incident. “The perfect ending would be one of the players to cut it at Old Trafford.”
The attack represents a dark moment in what has otherwise been a light-hearted and charitable campaign that has brought United fans together during challenging times. With the club currently sitting 11th in the Premier League table with just seven points from five games, Ilett’s challenge continues to serve as both a humorous protest and a symbol of unwavering support.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring Ilett’s safety at future matches and continuing the positive community that has formed around his campaign. As one supporter commented on social media: “99% of United fans love what Frank is doing. Don’t let one idiot ruin something that’s brought smiles to thousands.”
The incident serves as a reminder that whilst football can inspire passionate responses, violence has no place in the beautiful game. As Ilett continues his challenge, approaching the one-year mark, his commitment to charity and spreading positivity stands in stark contrast to the aggression he faced on Saturday night.
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