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Inquire of any United fan from an earlier generation regarding the importance of 26 May 1999, and the answer will be that the night changed them forever. It was the evening when dramatic late goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær secured an incredible 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 Eastern Europe, who passed away at the 62 years old, changed forever.

Aspirations Under Communism

This individual was born Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a community with a modest number of residents. Growing up in communist Bulgaria with a love of football, he longed to changing his name to… the Red Devils. However, to take the name of a organization from the other side of the Iron Curtain was a futile endeavor. Any effort to do so during the socialist era, he would undoubtedly have ended up in jail.

A Promise Forged in Drama

Many seasons after the political changes in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's unique aspiration moved nearer to achievement. Viewing the match from his humble abode in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin swore an oath 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.

He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.

The Long Legal Battle

A day later, Marin visited a lawyer to express his unusual request, thus starting a grueling process. His dad, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a laborer on a meager daily wage. He was hardly making ends meet, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He soon became the local celebrity, then was featured globally, but many seasons full of legal battles and setbacks in litigation lay ahead.

Legal Obstacles and Small Wins

Marin’s wish was turned down at first for intellectual property issues: he could not change his name of a trademark known around the globe. Then a court official ruled partially in his favour, saying Marin could alter his given name to the city name but that he was not to use the second part as his official surname. “However, I desire to be identified with an urban area in England, I want to carry the title of my favourite football club,” Marin informed the judge. The battle persisted.

Companions in Adversity

During breaks from litigation, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had plenty of them in his outdoor space in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the his team. He gave each one a name after team stars: from Rio to Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. Which was the favourite cat of the name they used? One named after David Beckham.

Marin bedecked in United gear.

Progress and Integrity

Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an official nickname on his personal papers. But still he wasn’t happy. “My efforts will persist until my entire name is as I desire,” he vowed. His tale attracted financial opportunities – an offer to have fan merchandise branded with his legal name – but although he was in need, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his favourite club. The team's title was inviolable.

Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols

A film was made in 2011. The crew fulfilled his wish of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see his compatriot, the national team player on the team's roster at the time.

Marin tattooed the United crest on his forehead at a later date as a demonstration against the court decisions and in his final years it became increasingly hard for him to continue his legal battle. Employment was hard to find and he lost his mother to Covid-19. But against the odds, he persevered. Originally of Catholic faith, he got baptised in an religious institution under the name the identity he sought. “At least God will know me with my chosen name,” he used to say.

This Monday, 13 October, his time ran out. Maybe at last the club's determined supporter could achieve eternal tranquility.