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Inquire of any United supporter of a certain age concerning the significance of 26 May 1999, and the answer will be that the night was life-altering. It was the moment when dramatic late goals from Sheringham and Solskjær secured an unbelievable late turnaround in the Champions League final against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the existence of one devoted supporter in Bulgaria, who has died at the 62 years old, took a new direction.

Aspirations Under Communism

This individual was born Marin Levidzhov in his hometown, a community with a modest number of residents. Living in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he aspired to legally altering his identity to… the Red Devils. However, to adopt the name of a sports team from the other side of the Iron Curtain was an unattainable goal. Any effort to do so during the socialist era, he would almost certainly have faced imprisonment.

A Commitment Sealed by Fate

Many seasons after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's idiosyncratic dream edged closer to fulfillment. Viewing the match from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin made a promise to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would do anything to become known as that of the club he loved. Then, against all odds, it transpired.

Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.

Years of Judicial Challenges

The following morning, Marin visited a lawyer to present his unique case, thus beginning a long, hard battle. His dad, from whom he had learned to support the club, was deceased, and the 36-year-old was caring for his parent, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker 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 many seasons full of legal battles and discouraging rulings awaited him.

Trademark Issues and Limited Success

His request was denied early on for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a internationally recognized entity. Then a local judge allowed a compromise, saying Marin could alter his given name to Manchester but that he was not to use United as his legal last name. “However, I desire to be identified with an urban area in the UK, I want to bear the identity of my cherished club,” Marin stated during proceedings. His fight went on.

Companions in Adversity

Outside of legal proceedings, 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 Manchester United. He christened them after club legends: such as Vidic and others, they were the most famous cats in town. The one he loved most of Man U? The feline known as Beckham.

His attire consistently showed his allegiance.

Advances and Ethics

Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was granted the right to append the club name as an legal alternative on his identification document. But he remained dissatisfied. “My efforts will persist until my entire name is the club's title,” he promised. His tale attracted commercial propositions – an offer to have fan merchandise branded with his legal name – but despite his financial struggles, he rejected the opportunity because he was unwilling to gain financially from his favourite club. The Manchester United name was beyond commercial use.

Dreams Realized and Lasting Tributes

A documentary followed in 2011. The filmmakers turned Marin’s dream of experiencing the Theatre of Dreams and there he even met his compatriot, the Bulgaria striker on the team's roster at the time.

He inked the club badge on his forehead three years later as a protest against the court decisions and in his closing chapter it became ever tougher for him to persist with his fight. Work was limited and he lost his mother to the pandemic. But he managed to continue. Originally of Catholic faith, he was christened in an orthodox church under the name the identity he sought. “At least God will know me with my chosen name,” he would frequently remark.

On a recent Monday, his heart stopped beating. It is possible that the club's persistent fan could finally find peace.