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Ask any Manchester United devotee who is older about the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and they will tell you that the occasion changed them forever. It was the evening when dramatic late goals from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær sealed an stunning come-from-behind victory in the showpiece event against the German giants at the Camp Nou. That same night, the existence of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who passed away at the 62 years old, took a new direction.

Aspirations Under Communism

That supporter was born Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a community with a tight-knit community. Living in a socialist state with a devotion to football, he longed to legally altering his identity to… Manchester United. But, to take the name of a organization from the other side of the Iron Curtain was an unattainable goal. Any effort to do so before the fall of the regime, he would undoubtedly have ended up in jail.

A Commitment Sealed by Fate

A decade after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's idiosyncratic dream edged closer to reality. Watching the final from his simple residence in Svishtov and with United trailing, Marin made a promise to himself: in the event of a reversal, he would go to any lengths to become known as that of the team he adored. Then, against all odds, it transpired.

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

The Long Legal Battle

The next day, Marin visited a lawyer to present his unique case, thus initiating a difficult fight. His dad, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a builder on a meager daily wage. He was barely getting by, yet his dream became an obsession. He quickly turned into the subject of gossip, then gained worldwide attention, but a decade and a half full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions were to come.

Legal Obstacles and Small Wins

Marin’s wish was rejected initially for trademark concerns: he was not permitted to adopt the name of a world-famous brand. Then a court official granted a limited approval, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was could not adopt United as his official surname. “Yet my aim is to be associated with just a place in the UK, I want to wear the name of my favourite football club,” Marin told the court. His fight went on.

A Life with Feline Friends

During breaks from litigation, he was often tending to his pets. He had plenty of them in his outdoor space in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Red Devils. He christened them after team stars: such as Vidic and others, they were the most famous cats in town. Who was his preferred pet of the name they used? One named after David Beckham.

Marin bedecked in United gear.

Breakthroughs and Principles

He achieved a further success in court: he was allowed to add United as an legal alternative on his personal papers. But he remained dissatisfied. “I won’t stop until my full name is Manchester United,” he vowed. His tale attracted financial opportunities – a proposal to have fan merchandise branded with his legal name – but despite his financial struggles, he turned down the offer because he did not want to profit from his favourite club. The Manchester United name was sacred to him.

Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols

A film was made in 2011. The production team turned Marin’s dream of seeing the iconic stadium 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 brow three years later as a demonstration against the legal rulings and in his last few years it became increasingly hard for him to continue his legal battle. Work was limited and he suffered the death of his mother to Covid-19. But against the odds, he persevered. By birth a Catholic, he was christened in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name his desired full name. “At least God will know me with my real name,” he would frequently remark.

On a recent Monday, his time ran out. It is possible that the club's restless soul could achieve eternal tranquility.