Ask every fan of Manchester United how terribly supported the team in the last 12 months, and they will tell you in non -uncertain conditions how bad it has been.
But for Frank Ilett, the bad shape of the Red Devils is literally an ever -heavy burden that weigh on his head.
That is because on October 5, 2024 Frank was the challenge not to cut his hair until United won five games in a row.
But with United who is struggling to even put together two wins last season, Frank, the man behind the United Beach, is now more than 10 months – or 313 days – in his challenge.
The 29-year-old who lives in Spain only told Sunsport about the hairy challenge that his ever-growing Barnet represents and said: “It was a very tough summer.
“It has been very hot, especially here in Spain, where I am right now, it is absolutely boiling.
“That has certainly been the greatest difficulty. And even things like when I have shower, my hair in the heat has to dry in the heat and then use a hairdryer next to my head is too much.
“Of course it takes hours to dry … I used a headband to try to keep it from my face.
“I recently tried some curly cream, and that seemed to calm a little, which is great, but it clearly takes time to do those things, while this is how more natural.”
Frank spoke earlier in March with Sunsport – just when his challenge really grew – when he had just hit 60,000 followers on his Instagram page in addition to the millions he had received.
But Frank now also bears the weight of a mini-celebrity, which has appeared on points of sale such as Sky Sports, BBC and CBS, while his Instagram page has come to more than 200,000 followers.
Curl Cream companies approached him to use their products and fans asked him for Old Trafford signatures when he visited the back of last season, including the exciting Lyon collision in the Europa League.
Frank, those jokes makes the description of his fame “loosely” be used, explained: “I had a few companies that have come into contact with things like curl creams and there are a few conversations with other hair marks.
“There are many hairdressers who will come into contact. They would like to be involved in one way or another, but it is difficult to know which day (cutting) that will be …
“Every interaction I have had is positive. I live in Spain, where I don't think so many people know me, but there are still a few who come up to take pictures with me, and when I visit England, it's a different world.
“I went to the United -Lyon -Game – seriously the best game I have been to live and I am not sure if it will ever be defeated – and I think while I was there, I probably took more than 200 photos with different people.”
At the last measurement, Frank revealed that his hair is 18 cm long.
However, that is still not long enough for the perfect end that Frank is planning when he can eventually say goodbye to his now iconic curly locks.
Frank told Sunsport that he raised money for the Minduk charity, even earlier in the summer, an Ice Bucket setting challenge.
When United finally succeeds in winning five games in a row, he wants to cut it off at Old Trafford and he plans to donate the money that has been collected from his freshly shaved hair on the Little Princess Trust.
Also talked about the reaction of his loved ones to his challenge, he explained: “Everyone is just supportive and laughs together with everyone else.
“Nothing has changed there, they know that I am dedicated to the end and so they must be …
“That has been the plan [to donate to charity] For a while, if it gets long enough. But believe it or not, it's not long enough to donate.
“At the moment my hair is 18 cm long and it must be at least 25 cm to 30 cm to donate it. But anyway, I would like to raise some money for a good cause.
“I have raised money for Minduk, but if it comes closer, I will do something. I think it will be the little princess confidence.
“I think the perfect end would be to cut it at Old Trafford.”
Frank believes that United has had a positive summer, with great money issued to people like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha as what was “needed at the moment”.
He also supported Diego Leon and Benjamin Sesko to get well, but emphasized the need for fans to give them time to grow because they are far from the completed article.
That said, according to Frank, a new midfielder and keeper would be very welcome additions to the team.
However, Frank is not a Baleba in Carlos Baleba, at least not for the reported asking price of more than £ 100 million, while he also feared that Gianluigi Donnarumma – who have now categorically excluded a transfer – another Andre Onana, which he describes as “are not good enough”.
The most important problem for Frank is to get players out, with United to make a single permanent sale, where players only leave on loan or by a free agency.
But Frank believes that people like Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount can shine in the coming season, so Ruben Amorim insists to give Mainoo a point in the team, while Mount also predicts that Mount is the most improved player in last season's team if he stays fit.
In terms of the season, Frank believes that this United team will not be a title finances, but that they must again insist on European football.
He said: “I am optimistic, but my realistic prediction would be sixth. I think if we are lower than that, it is a different failure.
“And I think if we can do better than that, this would be incredible compared to last season.
“It is clear that these things take time, but yes, I think that realistic Europa League places are probably what we should strive for as a stepping step …”
On Amorim Frank added: “If we came in seventh place, there is an argument there (to keep it). But if we end up for 15th, it doesn't happen and it doesn't work in the Premier League.
“I really love Amorim, but I think my only criticism of him – the same as ange [Postecoglou] When he was at Spurs – this obsession with one system is.
“I don't think one size fits, everything is possible in football. I would like to see different ideas. I fully get the main system, but it would be nice to see every now and then,” Oh just hanging a minute, we do something else for this game “.”
United starts the season against Arsenal, who thinks Frank is beating on the opening day at Old Trafford, despite his expectation for them to be a heavy customer.
If you want to donate to the Justgiving page of the United Strand for Minduk, click here.