Manchester United star forward Matheus Cunha has expressed his thoughts on famous fan Frank Ilett on his ongoing haircut challenge. The fan has amassed popularity in the football world as a result of the challenge he embarked upon over a year ago involving the Red Devils.
Matheus Cunha reflects on Fran Ilett's haircut challenge
Cunha talked about the challenge which predates his arrival at Manchester United, disclosing that while the players sometimes discuss it, they don't consider it to be motivating. He noted that he is more concerned by his side securing the required number of wins for the benefit of their league position and not for Ilett's haircut challenge. The Brazilian also called the haircut challenge a distraction from the quality they are showing.
"People are more worried about getting five wins because of the haircut than about the 15 points. So, I'm more for the 15 points, I don't care about his haircut at all. We talk about it sometimes, but it's not very motivating for us. We don't see it as cool. No one wants those five wins more than we do, or more wins, whatever. But I think having this pressure from his haircut hides a bit of the beauty that could be in the season, you know?", he said (via tribuna.com).
Frank Ilett's wait for a haircut continues
The United strand, as Frank Ilett is known popularly online, has spent over 493 days waiting for haircut after vowing not to cut his hair until the side wins five games straight. The challenge came close to a finish line after a streak of four wins under Michael Carrick this season but the Red Devils drew at West Ham last time out.
Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has slammed the publicity given to the fan while some other fans have made fun of his challenge. He kicked off the challenge in October 2024, before Ruben Amorim was appointed as head coach.
Manchester United women hilariously mock Ilett with celebration during UWCL game
Manchester United Women stars Elisabeth Terland and Maya Le Tisser have taken a hilarious shot on fan Frank Ilett on his ongoing challenge. The pair of stars played in their UEFA Women's Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid Femenino.
Terland smashed the first goal for her side in the game in Spain before taking the chance to pretend to cut her hair alongside Le Tissier in celebration. They went on to win the game 3-0 with further goals from Melvine Mallard and Julia Zigotti Olme.
Manchester United women have secured back-to-back six games, surpassing the target for the men's team by The United Strand. The men's team have not won five straight games since the beginning of 2024, when Erik ten Hag was in charge of the team.