493 days without a haircut because of Manchester United

BarcelonaThe passion for football has led to countless curious stories. But in England, the birthplace of the sport, a heartwarming mix of fervor for a team's colors and a sense of humor has emerged in recent months, going viral. Manchester United, one of the country's biggest clubs, has long struggled to be among the favorites to win the Premier League (they haven't won it since 2013). red devils They also haven't been regular fixtures in the Champions League knockout rounds lately, a tournament they haven't played in since 2008. Nevertheless, the stands at Old Trafford continue to fill up every weekend with fans eager to relive past glories. There are also fans around the world longing to taste that glory once more. Among this expatriate following is Frank Ilett, a supporter of the team living in Castellón, Spain, who went viral for vowing not to cut his hair until Manchester United won five consecutive matches.

Due to Manchester United's poor run of form, the saga has dragged on for 493 days and has boosted Ilett's Instagram following to well over a million. The fan has posted a reel Every day since the joke began, viewers have watched his curly hair grow to an enormous length. Even Gerard Piqué, a former player for the British club, has contacted them about promotional activities for the King's League. But the joke could come to an end this Tuesday, as Manchester United is poised to finally win its fifth consecutive match. The team, now managed by Michael Carrick, has strung together four straight victories and visits West Ham today (9:45 pm) hoping to maintain its upward trajectory. Another win will hardly be enough to secure the title, as they are 12 points behind Arsenal, the runaway leaders, but it would solidify their place in the Champions League. Ilett is closer than ever to finally getting his hair back in shape, but thousands of internet users, to keep the joke going, want it to keep growing.