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Pose the question to any United supporter of a certain age about the importance of that fateful day in May 1999, and they'll recount that the night changed them forever. It was the evening when injury-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær completed an incredible late turnaround in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou. Simultaneously, the existence of one loyal follower in Bulgaria, who passed away at the age of 62, was transformed.

Aspirations Under Communism

The fan in question was born Marin Levidzhov in a small Danube town, a place with a modest number of residents. Living in the former Eastern Bloc with a devotion to football, he dreamed of adopting a new name to… the Red Devils. Yet, to adopt the name of a sports team from the other side of the Iron Curtain was a futile endeavor. If he had attempted to do so before the fall of the regime, he would almost certainly have faced imprisonment.

A Commitment Sealed by Fate

A decade after the fall of the regime in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's idiosyncratic dream moved nearer to achievement. Watching the final from his simple residence in Svishtov and with the score against them, Marin made a promise to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would spare no effort to become known as that of the object of his devotion. Then, a miracle occurred.

He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams.

Years of Judicial Challenges

A day later, Marin sought legal counsel to present his unique case, thus starting a grueling process. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had inherited his love of United, was no longer alive, and the man in his thirties was caring for his parent, working all kinds of odd jobs, including as a construction worker on £15 a day. He was struggling financially, yet his goal turned into a fixation. He rapidly evolved into the subject of gossip, then became an international sensation, but many seasons full of court cases and discouraging rulings were to come.

Copyright Hurdles and Partial Victories

The application was denied early on for copyright reasons: he was barred from using the title of a world-famous brand. Then a presiding magistrate allowed a compromise, saying Marin could change his first name to the city name but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his family name. “However, I desire to be named after a city in England, I want to wear the name of my favourite football club,” Marin informed the judge. The battle persisted.

Companions in Adversity

During breaks from litigation, he was often tending to his pets. He had many animals in his back yard in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Red Devils. He gave each one a name after United players: including Ferdinand and Rooney, they were the most famous cats in town. Who was his preferred pet of the name they used? One named after David Beckham.

He was often seen in full club regalia.

Progress and Integrity

Another victory was secured in court: he was permitted to include the club name as an legal alternative on his personal papers. But still he wasn’t happy. “I won’t stop until my complete identity is as I desire,” he promised. His tale attracted commercial propositions – an offer to have fan merchandise made using his identity – but despite his financial struggles, he rejected the opportunity because he was unwilling to gain financially from his favourite club. The club's identity was beyond commercial use.

Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols

A documentary followed in that year. The production team made his aspiration come true of visiting Old Trafford and there he even encountered Dimitar Berbatov, the Bulgaria striker then at the club at the time.

Marin tattooed the United crest on his face at a later date as a objection to the court decisions 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 was bereaved to the pandemic. But against the odds, he persevered. Born as a Catholic, he was christened in an orthodox church under the name his desired full name. “In the eyes of the divine, I am with my chosen name,” he would frequently remark.

On a recent Monday, his heart stopped beating. It is possible that the club's determined supporter could achieve eternal tranquility.