Frank Ilett, a devoted fan of Manchester United, is once again facing the challenge of waiting for a haircut after the team’s 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. This setback has extended his hair growth streak to 392 days, as he has vowed not to visit the barbers until the Red Devils achieve five consecutive victories.
The fan’s commitment to this unusual challenge was fueled by a three-game winning streak that had sparked a sense of optimism among supporters. However, the recent draw at the City Ground has reset the clock, leaving Ilett in a state of disappointment.
Ilett shared his feelings on TikTok following the match, expressing his heartbreak over the result while also acknowledging the potential for future success. He mentioned that despite the loss, there are encouraging signs that suggest his long wait for a haircut may end before Christmas.
“I so thought we had that. Even right at the end, Amad’s shot cleared off the line. I genuinely felt sick. I’m not going to lie I do feel completely heartbroken,” Ilett said. “But of course I have already been looking at the next possible haircut date. To be honest I do feel quite optimistic.”
He pointed out that the next opportunity for a win could come on December 8 after the game against Wolves, which would mark day 429 of his challenge. Ilett believes that with the upcoming fixtures against teams like Spurs, Everton, and others, a run of five wins is achievable.
- The next 11 fixtures include matches against:
- Tottenham
- Everton
- Crystal Palace
- West Ham
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Bournemouth
- Aston Villa
- Newcastle United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers again
- Leeds United
- Burnley
Ilett expressed confidence that each of these games is winnable, suggesting that the delay in his haircut will not be too long. He acknowledged that the performance had some moments of inconsistency but highlighted positive aspects such as the slick link-up play.
Ruben Amorim, the manager of Manchester United, believes that the team’s late equalizer against Nottingham Forest indicates a shift in mentality from the side that struggled last season. The match marked the one-year anniversary of Amorim’s appointment, and Casemiro’s controversially awarded header initially put the team on track for a fourth straight win.
However, United were caught off guard at the start of the second half, allowing Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona to score and leave the visitors facing another defeat. Despite this, Amorim noted the team’s resilience, as Amad Diallo’s late volley brought the score to 2-2, with a goal-line clearance denying him a stoppage-time winner.
“We lost control of the game for five minutes and we paid the price,” Amorim said. “I think we did some things well.” He also mentioned that the team’s energy level dropped slightly, which affected their performance. However, he emphasized that the players showed determination and effort during the match.
Amorim reflected on the contrast between the current team and the one from last season, noting that the current squad demonstrated a different feeling. “You can sense that we could not win this game, but we are not going to lose and that is a feeling that a big team sometimes has to have.”
Despite the missed opportunity, Amorim remains confident in the team’s potential. “We have a big opportunity to win in the end, but my feeling is we dropped two points here and we should have done better.”
