The United Strand Left Stunned as West Ham Score First Goal vs Man Utd

Viral Manchester United fan Frank Ilett (The United Strand) couldn't believe his eyes as the wait for his haircut continues.

On Tuesday night, Manchester United arrived in the Olympic Stadium to face West Ham United in a Premier League match unlike any other.

Although to the players on the pitch the game feels like just another Premier League fixture, for United fan Ilett it could finally put an end to a viral challenge that he started back in October 2024.

The challenge saw Ilett vow not to cut his hair until United win five games in a row and now, after wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, the fifth win could be on the cards.

But it's not looking good for Ilett and United, as West Ham United took the lead in the second half, and the viral United fan couldn't believe it.

When Ilett started the challenge 493 days ago, former United manager Erik ten Hag was still in charge at Old Trafford, with his replacement Ruben Amorim being in charge for the majority of the challenge.

Amorim came closest to leading United to five wins in a row in January 2025 when they beat Rangers, Fulham and FCSB before losing 3-1 to Brighton at Old Trafford.

Interim manager Michael Carrick improved on this by taking the Reds Devils to four in a row, but the fifth may not be coming as West Ham's Tomas Soucek opened the scoring for the Hammers.

Reacting to the goal during a live watchalong of the game. Ilett immediately buried his head in his hands, before admitting that he believed that the home side would open the scoring.

pic.twitter.com/1iq04llZlu

— James (@JamesxFCx) February 10, 2026

Things only got worse for Ilett after he jumped up in excitement as Casemiro found an equaliser shortly after Soucek's goal, only for it to be ruled off for offside following a VAR check.

Should United fail to produce an unlikely comeback and win the match, Ilett will have to wait until March 20 at the earliest if he hopes to get a haircut anytime soon.

In their next five games, United face Everton, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Bournemouth.