Is it finally haircut time?

It's been 493 days since Manchester United fan Frank Ilett - better known as "The United Strand" on social media - hasn't cut his hair, all because of his favourite club.

Namely, Ilett started a challenge more than a year ago, which would end with him getting a haircut only if the Red Devils won five games in a row. The 29-year-old hardly imagined his "abstinence from a barber" would last so long, but still, here we are. It's February 10, 2026, and Ilett and his beloved club have the first match point.

The challenge began during Erik ten Hag's stint at Old Trafford, while the Dutchman's successor Ruben Amorim was aware of the fan and his situation, but failed to help him. However, Michael Carrick's arrival completely turned the tables as the former United midfielder initiated a four-win run with triumphs over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham, so tonight's victory over West Ham in London (23.15) could mean the end of Ilett's struggles.

In Carrick's pre-game press conference, the question about the most famous United supporters at the moment was inevitable, as the whole world is more eagerly looking forward to his haircut than to the Red Devils' triumph as such.

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Unsurprisingly, the tactician was familiar with Ilett's situation but revealed the fan wouldn't be a topic of his pre-match team talk.

"I can say I'm aware of it, yeah. My kids have made me aware of it, if anything, but it certainly won't go into the team talk from a professional level."

"I can understand what's going on with it and it does make me smile but it won't have an impact ultimately in the end," Carrick said via ESPN.

In the end, two things are certain: the hype around a Man United game hasn't been bigger in a long time, and even those who regularly do not support the Red Devils will tonight be on their side. All because of one "shaggy" fan, whose journey we've all been following for 493 days.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 26

Tuesday

22.30: (1.57) Chelsea (4.00) Leeds (6.00)

22.30: (2.45) Everton (3.50) Bournemouth (3.05)

22.30: (3.35) Tottenham (3.50) Newcastle (2.25)

23.15: (4.30) West Ham (4.35) Manchester United (1.75)

Wednesday

22.30: (1.95) Aston Villa (3.50) Brighton (3.90)

22.30: (1.60) Crystal Palace (4.00) Burnley (6.50)

22.30: (1.37) Manchester City (5.15) Fulham (8.00)

22.30: (1.75) Nottingham Forest (3.70) Wolverhampton (5.40)

23.15: (5.40) Sunderland (3.70) Liverpool (1.75)

Thursday

21.00: (4.90) Brentford (3.60) Arsenal (1.75)

***odds are subject to change***