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Inquire of any Man United supporter from an earlier generation about the significance of that fateful day in May 1999, and the answer will be that the date left an indelible mark. It was the moment when injury-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær secured an unbelievable late turnaround in the Champions League final against the German giants at the famous Barcelona stadium. That same night, the existence of one United fan in Bulgaria, who has died at the 62 years old, was transformed.

Aspirations Under Communism

The fan in question was born Marin Levidzhov in his hometown, a place with a tight-knit community. Being raised in a socialist state with a devotion to football, he longed to changing his name to… the Red Devils. But, to take the name of a organization from the capitalist west was a futile endeavor. Any effort to do so during the socialist era, he would likely have faced imprisonment.

A Vow Made Under Pressure

Many seasons after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's personal goal 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: in the event of a reversal, he would do anything to become known as that of the object of his devotion. Then, against all odds, it transpired.

Marin fulfils his dream of visiting Old Trafford.

The Long Legal Battle

The next day, Marin consulted an attorney to state his extraordinary desire, thus beginning a long, hard battle. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had gained his fandom, was no longer alive, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, employed in miscellaneous roles, including as a laborer on minimal earnings. 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 court cases and disheartening court decisions were to come.

Legal Obstacles and Small Wins

Marin’s wish was denied early on for copyright reasons: he could not change his name of a internationally recognized entity. Then a local judge ruled partially in his favour, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was could not adopt 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 beloved team,” Marin told the court. The battle persisted.

Companions in Adversity

When not in court, he was often caring for his feline friends. He had a large number in his garden in Svishtov and loved them as much as the Red Devils. He gave each one a name after United players: from Rio to Rooney, they were the best-known felines in town. Who was his preferred pet of Man U? One named after David Beckham.

He was often seen in full club regalia.

Progress and Integrity

Marin managed another breakthrough in court: he was allowed to add the club name as an official nickname on his ID card. But he remained dissatisfied. “My efforts will persist until my complete identity is the club's title,” he vowed. His tale attracted commercial propositions – a chance to have supporters' goods produced under his new name – but even with his monetary challenges, he turned down the offer because he was unwilling to gain financially from his beloved team. The team's title was beyond commercial use.

Goals Achieved and Enduring Symbols

A film was made in 2011. The production team made his aspiration come true of visiting Old Trafford and there he even had the chance to see Dimitar Berbatov, the forward on the team's roster at the time.

Permanently marked the team emblem on his brow subsequently as a demonstration against the judicial outcomes and in his last few years it became more and more difficult for him to persist with his fight. Work was limited and he was bereaved to Covid-19. But somehow, he found a way. Originally of Catholic faith, he got baptised in an Eastern Orthodox church under the name the identity he sought. “Ultimately, my true name is recognized with my real name,” he often stated.

Earlier this week, his time ran out. It is possible that the club's restless soul could finally find peace.