West Ham’s assistant manager ‘sends viral Man United fan a brutal message’ before denying him the chance to FINALLY have a haircut after almost 500 days

West Ham’s assistant boss Paco Jemez reportedly aimed a cheeky dig at Frank Ilett, the viral Man United fan who won’t cut his hair until his beloved side win five games in a row. 

Back in October 2024, Ilett, also known as The United Strand, pledged not to have a haircut until United achieved the feat.

He may have thought his moment was coming after almost 500 days when the Red Devils came into their trip to West Ham on Tuesday on the back of four consecutive victories under Michael Carrick.

But Tomas Soucek left him crestfallen with a goal in the 50th minute to put the Hammers 1-0 ahead – and Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side clung on for a draw, despite Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time equaliser. 

This means Ilett’s challenge resets, and it raises serious questions over whether United will win five games in a row before the end of the season.

And Jemez, who joined the Hammers in mid-January, was asked about Ilett’s challenge on Spanish TV ahead of the game.

Ilett had hoped to complete his challenge, but United were held to a 1-1 draw by the Hammers

Speaking on Cope’s ‘El Partidazo’ programme, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, he said: ‘I saw the Manchester United fan with the hair (Frank Ilett) and I told him: “You’re not getting a haircut today”.’

Jemez’s words were proved right, with the former Rayo Vallecano and Las Palmas boss having the last laugh as Ilett was left crestfallen following the game.

Live streaming the match with a group of friends to almost 100,000 viewers, when Soucek put the Hammers 1-0 up Ilett held his head for several seconds, before consoling himself with the encouragement: ‘There’s plenty of time, plenty of time.’

Midway through the half, Ilett and his contingent of friends went wild as they thought Casemiro had equalised.

One of them let off confetti and they danced around in front of the camera screaming, until the reality of the situation dawned on them.

A VAR check confirmed that the Brazilian had just strayed offside, and Ilett was left to slump back in his chair with a look of resignation. 

Sesko bagged a stoppage-time equaliser, causing him some brief, cautious elation, but it wasn’t enough.  

After almost 500 days of waiting, and having amassed 1.3 million followers on Instagram, Ilett is back to square one.

Jemez (right, with boss Nuno Espirito Santo) told Ilett he ‘would not be getting a haircut today’

‘We go again for the next five,’ one of his friends said at full time, as Ilett sat pensively, with a thousand-yard stare, covering his mouth with his fingers. By this point, almost 180,000 people were watching his stream. 

‘The longer the better for the charity,’ he said, referring to how he will donate his hair to The Little Princess Trust, who provide wigs to children who have lost their hair. ‘I don’t want this to be about me.’ 

United’s next five matches come against Everton, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Bournemouth. 

Meanwhile, Jemez’s arrival has been widely credited with West Ham’s recent revival.

Since the experienced Spanish coach joined the club, the Hammers have picked up 10 points from five league games and put in markedly improved performances.

Having been seven points adrift of safety in the Premier League, they are now just two points off 17th place Nottingham Forest.