🔗 Share this article My Name Is Man Utd: The Die-Hard Supporter Who Battled to Change His Identity Pose the question to any Man United fan of a certain age about the significance of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the occasion was life-altering. It was the evening when dramatic late goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær secured an unbelievable 2-1 comeback in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. It was also, the world of one devoted supporter in Bulgaria, who passed away at the age of 62, was transformed. Hopes in a Bygone Era This individual was born Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a place with a modest number of residents. Being raised in the former Eastern Bloc with a passion for football, he dreamed of legally altering his identity to… the Red Devils. But, to claim the name of a organization from the other side of the Iron Curtain was an unattainable goal. Any effort to do so prior to the end of communism, he would likely have ended up in jail. A Vow Made Under Pressure Many seasons after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on that night in May 1999 – Marin's personal goal moved nearer to reality. Viewing the match from his humble abode in Svishtov and with the score against them, 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. A Protracted Court Struggle The following morning, Marin consulted an attorney to state his extraordinary desire, thus initiating a difficult fight. His dad, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was deceased, and the man in his thirties was caring for his parent, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a construction worker on minimal earnings. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his dream became an obsession. He soon became the subject of gossip, then became an international sensation, but many seasons full of legal battles and disheartening court decisions awaited him. Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories The application was denied early on for trademark concerns: he was barred from using the title of a internationally recognized entity. Then a presiding magistrate granted a limited approval, saying Marin could change his first name to Manchester but that he was not to use United as his legal last name. “But I don’t want to be associated with just a place in Britain, I want to wear the name of my favourite football club,” Marin stated during proceedings. The struggle continued. Companions in Adversity During breaks from litigation, he was often tending to his pets. He had plenty of them in his back yard in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the his team. He named them all after team stars: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the best-known felines in town. The one he loved most of his close friends' nickname for him? One named after David Beckham. Marin bedecked in United gear. Progress and Integrity Another victory was secured in court: he was allowed to add United as an official nickname on his personal papers. But still he wasn’t happy. “I will continue until my full name is Manchester United,” he promised. His story soon led to financial opportunities – a proposal to have fan merchandise produced under his new name – but although he was in need, he rejected the opportunity because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The team's title was inviolable. Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts His story was captured in that year. The filmmakers turned Marin’s dream of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see the Bulgarian striker, the Bulgaria striker playing for United at the time. Marin tattooed the club badge on his forehead at a later date as a demonstration against the judicial outcomes and in his closing chapter 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 the virus. But somehow, he found a way. By birth a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an orthodox church under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my true identity,” he often stated. Earlier this week, his time ran out. It is possible that Manchester United’s restless soul could at last be at rest.