He Won’t Cut His Hair Until Manchester United Wins Five Straight: The Women Already Did

What started as a lighthearted promise quickly became a running joke across social media.

In October 2024, Frank Illet vowed that he wouldn’t cut his hair until the club won five matches in a row. At the time, it felt like a challenge that would be completed sooner rather than later.

Months passed. The hair grew longer. And the five-game streak never came.

Image via @theunitedstrand

At least not from the team he was watching.

The fan challenge gained traction as United struggled for consistency in the Premier League. A five-game winning streak became a symbol of stability the club simply couldn’t find.

Even after wins over rivals like Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham Hotspur, a late draw against West Ham United kept the streak from reaching five.

As the hair grew longer, online conversation grew louder.

Across the club, Manchester United Women were quietly putting together the exact run he was waiting for. Since October 2024, the women’s side has recorded three separate winning streaks of at least five matches in all competitions.

Their most recent surge didn’t stop at five. It stretched to seven consecutive wins, including victories over Arsenal Women, Liverpool Women, Aston Villa Women, Leicester City Women, Burnley Women and Atlético Madrid Femenino.

Then came the moment that tied it all together.

After their 3-0 win over Atlético, captain Maya Le Tissier and striker Elisabeth Terland pulled out a haircut celebration on the pitch, a subtle but unmistakable reference to the viral fan bet circulating online.

The celebration didn’t just acknowledge the moment; it reframed the entire conversation. What began as a joke about the men’s inability to find form suddenly became a spotlight on the women’s consistency. Online, fans pointed out the irony. The streak had already happened, just not in the way anyone expected when the challenge was first posted.

The streak had already happened, and the women made sure everyone knew it.

United’s momentum has been driven by consistency across the squad. Le Tissier has anchored the defense while leading from the back. In midfield, Hinata Miyazawa has become essential in helping the team control possession and tempo. Terland’s arrival has added another reliable goal-scoring option, while Ella Toone continues to create chances in crucial moments with late runs into the box.

As Manchester United Women sit near the top of the Women’s Super League table and advance into the Champions League quarterfinals, the haircut bet has taken on a new meaning.

It was meant to highlight frustration and poke a bit of fun.

Instead, it’s become a reminder that the results were already there, just coming from the other side of the club.

Featured image via @givemesport

_

GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS