Trolling Amidst Turmoil: United Fan’s Hair Dilemma After Draw Against West Ham

omidbasir- The official Manchester City US social media account seized the opportunity to taunt United supporters immediately after their 1-1 draw with West Ham on Tuesday night.

While the result marked a setback for Michael Carrick’s team, it was particularly disheartening for content creator Ilett, known online as “The United Strand.” His viral challenge to grow his hair until United achieved five consecutive victories is set to extend indefinitely.

Just moments after the final whistle confirmed that United’s winning streak had ended at four matches, the @ManCityUS account shared a photo of star striker Erling Haaland, showcasing his long blonde hair. The caption was both simple and mocking: “Nothing wrong with growing out your hair.”

The trolling references a pledge made by Ilett in October 2024. The 29-year-old United fan vowed not to cut his hair until the club secured five consecutive victories across all competitions. What began as a seemingly achievable challenge evolved into a prolonged ordeal, as the team struggled for consistency under previous management.

Heading into the match at the London Stadium, Ilett finally saw the finish line approaching. United had won four consecutive games under interim manager Carrick, defeating notable opponents such as City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham. A victory against West Ham would have allowed Ilett to visit a barber for the first time in nearly 500 days.

Thousands of viewers tuned in to his “watchalong” livestream, anticipating the conclusion of his challenge. Instead, they experienced a whirlwind of emotions that ultimately culminated in disappointment. “It was a strange game,” Ilett remarked to his audience, visibly disheartened as the match ended. The challenge now resets, prolonging his commitment to his flowing locks unless United can achieve a sudden surge of form.

The match itself was a gritty encounter that underscored the challenges Carrick faces in his temporary position. United entered the match brimming with confidence but were met by a determined West Ham side, fighting for Premier League survival. The Hammers employed a disciplined defensive strategy that stifled United’s offensive talents for extended periods, denying Ilett the celebration he had eagerly anticipated for months.

The deadlock was broken early in the second half when Tomas Soucek slipped into the box to convert a cross from Jarrod Bowen, stunning the visiting supporters and plunging Ilett into silence on his stream. United labored to find a response, with Carrick making substitutions in a desperate attempt to maintain the winning streak.

A late intervention from Benjamin Sesko salvaged a point, preserving Carrick’s unbeaten record. However, to Ilett, a draw felt equivalent to defeat, as the point did little to alleviate the frustration of his hair’s symbolism of United’s struggle to maintain a dominant run over the last two seasons.

Manchester City was not the only European powerhouse to take a playful jab at Ilett’s misfortune. Bayern Munich’s English account also joined in, tweeting, “There’s still time to become an FC Bayern fan,” paired with a scissor emoji, humorously suggesting that switching allegiance to the Bundesliga champions might be the fastest way to get a haircut.

Even Carrick was aware of the stakes leading into the match. In his pre-match press conference, he acknowledged that his children had informed him about the challenge. “I can say I’m aware of it, yeah. My kids have made me aware of it,” Carrick stated. Unfortunately for Ilett, the manager’s awareness did not translate into the fifth win needed to conclude his hair saga.