Manchester United Women extended their winning streak and joined in the online joke surrounding viral supporter Frank Ilett, whose self-imposed haircut challenge continues after the men’s side failed to secure a fifth straight Premier League victory.
Manchester United Women made it six wins in a row on Thursday, while the men’s team under Michael Carrick were held to a draw by West Ham United earlier in the week, ending their four-match winning streak.
Supporter Ilett, known online as The United Stand, has pledged not to cut his hair until the men’s team win five consecutive Premier League games. His wait is now approaching 500 days after the run was halted despite a late goal from Benjamin Sesko earning a draw rather than victory.
The women’s side, managed by Marc Skinner, have been in strong form since January, recording wins over Arsenal Women, Aston Villa Women, Liverpool Women and Leicester City Women, in addition to progressing in Europe with a 3-0 victory over Atlético Madrid Femenino.
During the celebrations against Atlético, goalscorer Elisabeth Terland and defender Maya Le Tissier were seen miming cutting their ponytails in a playful nod to Ilett’s ongoing challenge.
Haircut big news
Ilett’s reaction to West Ham’s opener from Tomas Soucek was streamed live to almost 100,000 viewers, with that figure later rising significantly as the draw confirmed he would remain without a trim. He has stated that when the challenge does eventually end, he intends to donate his hair to The Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs to children who have lost their hair.
Carrick was asked about the situation before the West Ham game and admitted he was aware of the fan’s pledge, adding that his children had kept him informed, though he stressed it would not influence his team talk.
While the challenge has drawn amusement across social media, it has also sparked debate about the attention surrounding the men’s run compared to the women’s current success.
The ONE MILLION QUESTION!✂️ pic.twitter.com/CAj4rm3PrR
— TheUnitedStrand (@TheUnitedStrand) February 10, 2026
Shifting landscapes
The news of a man’s haircut seems to be massive at the moment, like his barnet, but it is reflective of the virality of things associated with the game. In a world where people can be mocked, followed and reach millions of people quickly, these silly little quirks do sometimes overshadow more serious news articles. For instance, many outlets don’t cover Dean Brennan’s nine-match ban for abusing a female official, but they will cover this ‘news’.
In truth, the episode neatly highlights the shifting landscape of the modern game. The women’s team are delivering results and progressing in Europe, yet much of the noise remains focused on a viral moment tied to the men’s side. If anything, their playful celebration was a reminder that success on the pitch should always be the main story, and on current form, Manchester United Women are giving their supporters far more to cheer about.
