LONDON – Manchester United’s recent momentum stalled on Tuesday evening, as a late equaliser from Benjamin Sesko secured a 1-1 draw for West Ham United at the London Stadium. The result, while maintaining Michael Carrick’s unbeaten start as interim manager, dashed the hopes of one particularly dedicated Red Devils supporter – Frank Ilett, who is currently refusing to get a haircut until United string together five consecutive victories.
The draw brought an end to United’s winning streak, leaving Ilett’s long-awaited trip to the barber on hold. Ilett began his unusual vow in October 2024, and has since amassed over two million followers on social media documenting his follicular journey. He had been tantalizingly close to achieving his goal, having witnessed wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham Hotspur under Carrick’s leadership.
Sesko’s late goal cancelled out a second-half strike from Tomas Soucek, denying United the chance to climb further up the Premier League table. The point keeps them in fourth place, one point ahead of Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification. For West Ham, the draw was a valuable point in their battle against relegation, leaving them two points behind fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest, who have a game in hand.
Carrick, who took over from the sacked Ruben Amorim, has revitalised United since his appointment. While this performance was described as disjointed, the manager will be encouraged by his team’s resilience in refusing to accept defeat. The former United midfielder’s flying start has led to speculation he could be offered the job on a permanent basis.
The match itself saw West Ham take the lead through Soucek, but United responded with increasing pressure. A potential equaliser from Bruno Fernandes’ corner, with a close-range effort from Luke Shaw, was cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. However, it was Sesko who ultimately had the final say, striking late to deny United all three points.
The story of Frank Ilett has captured the imagination of football fans worldwide. His dedication to the team, and the unusual nature of his commitment, has resonated with supporters and drawn attention to the often-superstitious world of football fandom. Carrick himself acknowledged the fan’s story ahead of the match, highlighting the impact Ilett’s challenge has had.
While the draw was a setback for United, it wasn’t without its positive aspects. The team demonstrated a fighting spirit, and Carrick will be looking for them to build on this resilience in upcoming matches. The focus now shifts to securing another winning streak, not only for league position but also to finally allow Ilett to fulfil his promise and visit the barber after over 500 days.
Elsewhere in the footballing world, Tottenham Hotspur’s recent form has been a talking point. United’s 2-0 victory over Spurs last weekend was a significant result, and the build-up to the West Ham game was dominated by discussion of both teams’ performances. The draw against West Ham, however, means United missed an opportunity to extend their winning run to five games, a milestone that would have brought joy to countless fans, including the ‘United Strand’.
The result also has implications for the relegation battle at the bottom of the Premier League. West Ham’s failure to secure all three points leaves them in a precarious position, relying on results elsewhere to maintain their top-flight status. Nottingham Forest’s game against Wolves on Wednesday takes on added significance, as a win for Forest would further distance them from the drop zone.
As Manchester United look ahead to their next fixture, the pressure will be on to rediscover their winning form. The team will be aiming to capitalise on their strong position in the league and continue their push for Champions League qualification. And, of course, there’s the added motivation of providing a long-suffering fan with the opportunity to finally get a haircut.
