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Inquire of any United devotee from an earlier generation about the meaning of May 26th, 1999, and they will tell you that the date left an indelible mark. It was the night when last-minute strikes from Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær sealed an unbelievable come-from-behind victory in the Champions League final against the German giants at the Camp Nou. It was also, the existence of one United fan in Bulgaria, who has died at the age of 62, took a new direction.

A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria

The fan in question was given the name Marin Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a settlement with a tight-knit community. Living in a socialist state with a love of football, he longed to changing his name to… the Red Devils. But, to take the name of a football club from the Western world was an unattainable goal. Any effort to do so during the socialist era, he would undoubtedly have been arrested.

A Commitment Sealed by Fate

Many seasons after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's personal goal edged closer to achievement. Tuning in from home from his modest home in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin made a promise to himself: if United somehow turned the game around, he would go to any lengths to become known as 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.

The Long Legal Battle

A day later, Marin sought legal counsel to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. His dad, from whom he had gained his fandom, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on a meager daily wage. He was struggling financially, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He soon became the subject of gossip, then became an international sensation, but many seasons full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions lay ahead.

Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories

His request was turned down at first for trademark concerns: he was barred from using the title of a internationally recognized entity. Then a court official allowed a compromise, saying Marin could alter his given name to the city name but that he was could not adopt United as his family name. “Yet my aim is to be named after a city in Britain, I want to carry the title of my favourite football club,” Marin told the court. The battle persisted.

His Beloved Cats

When not in court, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had many animals in his outdoor space in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the Manchester United. He gave each one a name after United players: such as Vidic and others, they were the most famous cats in town. Who was his preferred pet of the name they used? A kitty called Beckham.

Marin bedecked in United gear.

Progress and Integrity

He achieved a further success in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an official nickname on his ID card. But still he wasn’t happy. “My efforts will persist until my complete identity is Manchester United,” he declared. His story soon led to financial opportunities – a proposal to have club products produced under his new name – but although he was in need, he rejected the opportunity because he did not want to profit from his adored institution. The team's title was beyond commercial use.

Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts

His story was captured in that year. The filmmakers fulfilled his wish of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even had the chance to see his compatriot, the forward playing for United at the time.

He inked the United crest on his forehead three years later as a demonstration against the judicial outcomes and in his final years it became more and more difficult for him to continue his legal battle. Employment was hard to find and he suffered the death of his mother to Covid-19. But against the odds, he persevered. By birth a Catholic, he got baptised in an religious institution under the name the identity he sought. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my true identity,” he would frequently remark.

Earlier this week, his life came to an end. It is possible that Manchester United’s persistent fan could at last be at rest.