Frank Ilett not cutting his hair until Manchester United wins five games in a row began as nothing but a light-hearted promise. Soon enough, it gained traction amongst aficionado football fans. And with four victories in hand, Ilett’s appointment at his barber was surely booked.
Manchester United defeated Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham in commanding fashion. Their gameplay was top-tier; it was composed, strategic and controlled from stern to stern. Every player showed the best of their performances. With each victory came a striking rise in Ilett’s following. The haircut felt imminent.
However, the pivotal fifth match against West Ham caused a dire shift in fortune as the composure and sharpness showcased in previous games faded. Even though Casemiro scored — sweeping a wave of relief — the joy was short-lived, as the flag was raised for offside. The five victories were inches away, but the Red Devils fell at the last hurdle. This narrow margin revealed something more significant: United’s struggle with consistency.
Since the arrival of Michael Carrick, the fans have been in high spirits. The game play changed drastically when he entered the picture — the team felt alive, a reflection of what it used to be in the past. The faiths and beliefs of fans were being restored, there was this new excitement to watch a game under the ‘Carrick ball’ era.
In a literal sense, Ilett and his hair have come far away from just being a joke. They are a representation of contemporary football culture, the passion and love for one’s team. It is absurd and admirable at the same time. This showcases a simple notion — a football fan has no limits and their passion, dedication and loyalty are unmatched. It is surprising to see how one team can affect a person’s life so deeply.
At the same time, you would be forgiven to wonder whether Ilett really wants the cut to happen. His meteoric rise and followers gained has catapulted him into becoming a recognisable figure and something of a celebrity. One cut, and all that may go away.
Beneath humour lies something deeper, teams are no longer judged by dominance but measured against stability. For United this speaks volumes. There was once a time when five consecutive victories were expected; a part of their routine. Today, that standard has shifted from excellence to reliability.
Day 494 continues, the hair remains, and United are back to square one.
“Scissors” by Spin Spin is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.