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Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Football
Ryan Smart
Manchester United have taken action after footage of a fan being assaulted at Old Trafford emerged online, it has been reported.
The fan in question, named Frank Ilett, set himself a challenge in October 2024 of not cutting his hair until United won five games in a row.
United's highest winning streak since then has been two matches.
Having now not had a haircut in nearly a year, his posts on social media - under the Twitter account 'TheUnitedStrand' - have started to amass hundreds of thousands of views.
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Ilett even appeared on BBC Breakfast last week to speak about his ongoing challenge.
But on Saturday, footage emerged of him being attacked by another male supporter on the concourse at Old Trafford.
The supporter firstly grabbed Illett by the head and shouted several insults towards him, before pulling him towards the ground.
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He was then led away by other fans.
Illett told The Sun: "It was a bit weird to be honest. I thought he was just joking to start with, but then he started yanking my hair and calling me an 'attention-seeking c***'.
"My intention with this challenge was never to highlight Man United's flaws. It was always, and always will be, to spread humour and positivity to United fans in a difficult time."
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The Daily Mail now report that United officials have been made aware of the footage that has circulated online and have now launched an investigation.
The report adds that, if the perpetrator can be identified by the club, they will 'impose strong sanctions'.
United's 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday means Ilett is once again four games away from being able to finally cut his hair.
United won three consecutive games in January but that is the closest they have come to five in a row under Ruben Amorim.
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They travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Brentford on Saturday before hosting Sunderland at Old Trafford on the following week.
A trip to Anfield to face champions and unbeaten Premier League leaders Liverpool is then next on the horizon, before United host Brighton to round out October and the earliest possible opportunity Ilett could have for a haircut.