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Pose the question to any United supporter of a certain age about the importance of 26 May 1999, and they'll recount that the date was life-altering. It was the moment when injury-time goals from Sheringham and Solskjær sealed an incredible come-from-behind victory in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the world of one devoted supporter in Bulgaria, who has died at the age of 62, took a new direction.

Aspirations Under Communism

The fan in question was born Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a place with a population of 22,000. Growing up in a socialist state with a love of football, he dreamed of changing his name to… Manchester United. However, to take the name of a sports team from the Western world was a futile endeavor. If he had attempted to do so before the fall of the regime, he would undoubtedly have faced imprisonment.

A Commitment Sealed by Fate

A decade after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's unique aspiration edged closer to fulfillment. Viewing the match from his simple residence in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin swore an oath to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would do anything to change his name that of the object of his devotion. Then, against all odds, it transpired.

A lifelong wish to walk the halls of the famous stadium came true.

Years of Judicial Challenges

The following morning, Marin sought legal counsel to express his unusual request, thus initiating a difficult fight. Marin’s father, from whom he had gained his fandom, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a builder on a meager daily wage. He was barely getting by, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He rapidly evolved into the local celebrity, then was featured globally, but a decade and a half full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions awaited him.

Legal Obstacles and Small Wins

The application was turned down at first for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a internationally recognized entity. Then a court official ruled partially in his favour, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was could not adopt the second part as his family name. “But I don’t want to be identified with an urban area in Britain, I want to wear the name of my cherished club,” Marin informed the judge. The battle persisted.

A Life with Feline Friends

When not in court, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had many animals in his garden in Svishtov and held them in the same esteem as the Red Devils. He gave each one a name after club legends: from Rio to Rooney, they were the most famous cats in town. Which was the favourite cat of Man U? The feline known as Beckham.

Marin bedecked in United gear.

Breakthroughs and Principles

Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include United as an recognized alias on his identification document. But still he wasn’t happy. “My efforts will persist until my complete identity is the club's title,” he vowed. His tale attracted financial opportunities – a chance to have supporters' goods made using his identity – but although he was in need, he declined the proposal because he refused to make money from his beloved team. The team's title was beyond commercial use.

Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols

His story was captured in 2011. The filmmakers made his aspiration come true of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see the Bulgarian striker, the national team player playing for United at the time.

Marin tattooed the United crest on his face subsequently as a demonstration against the court decisions and in his closing chapter it became ever tougher for him to keep up the struggle. Employment was hard to find and he suffered the death of his mother to Covid-19. But somehow, he found a way. By birth a Catholic, he was christened in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “In the eyes of the divine, I am with my real name,” he often stated.

Earlier this week, his life came to an end. Perhaps now Manchester United’s determined supporter could at last be at rest.