A cut too far: How a dramatic Manchester United draw kept Frank Ilett’s scissors sheathed

At this point, Frank Ilett’s hair has seen more phases than Manchester United’s rebuild.

After almost 500 days of untrimmed dedication – and a surge of more than a million followers cheering him on – his bold vow to only cut his hair when United win five in a row remains stubbornly intact, thanks to a frustrating draw against West Ham on Tuesday.

"It just started as a bit of fun, really," Illett told Sky Sports of the campaign, dubbed the "United Strand". "I thought it would be a fun thing to do, to bring some humour into what was a painful time for Manchester United fans."

Heading into the match against the Hammers, United were tantalisingly close to putting the clippers back in play. A run of four consecutive Premier League wins since Michael Carrick took over as interim manager – including sensational victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham – had raised hopes, and hairlines, across the red half of Manchester.

Frank, no doubt with one eye on the barber’s chair and perhaps even a ceremonial first snip, dared to believe. Then came the trip to the London Stadium.

Despite United dominating possession, they found themselves trailing to a Tomas Soucek strike early in the second half. It took a dramatic, 96th-minute equaliser from substitute Benjamin Sesko to rescue a 1-1 draw and maintain Carrick’s unbeaten start. But for Frank, a draw is as good as a defeat in the eyes of the barber.

Ilett was taken on a hair-raising rollercoaster of emotions – close enough to taste conditioner-free freedom, yet far enough to keep the curls flowing.

Friends say the afro has taken on a life of its own, growing in volume and symbolism with every dropped point. What began as a playful pledge is fast becoming a fluffy monument to United’s inconsistency.

While Carrick has certainly steadied the ship to keep United in fourth place, the elusive "five-in-a-row" remains the club's statistical Everest.

Still, true fans are nothing if not loyal. Frank remains committed. The scissors stay sheathed. The 'fro grows on.

And somewhere in Manchester, a barber waits – clippers primed – for five sweet wins in a row.