🔗 Share this article I Am Called Man Utd: The Die-Hard Supporter Who Fought to Change His Identity Ask any Manchester United devotee of a certain age regarding the meaning of that fateful day in May 1999, and the answer will be that the date was life-altering. It was the evening when dramatic late goals from Teddy Sheringham and Solskjær secured an incredible late turnaround in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the famous Barcelona stadium. Simultaneously, the life of one devoted supporter in Eastern Europe, who has died at the age of 62, was transformed. A Dream Born in Communist Bulgaria That supporter was given the name Marin Levidzhov in Svishtov, a community with a tight-knit community. Growing up in the former Eastern Bloc with a love of football, he longed to adopting a new name to… his beloved club. However, to take 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 prior to the end of communism, he would likely have ended up in jail. A Vow Made Under Pressure A decade after the end of communism in Bulgaria – on the unforgettable final – Marin's unique aspiration came one step closer to fulfillment. Tuning in from home from his humble abode in Svishtov and with his team losing, Marin swore an oath to himself: should his team mount a comeback, he would go to any lengths to become known as that of the team he adored. Then, the impossible happened. He realized his ambition to see the Theatre of Dreams. A Protracted Court Struggle A day later, Marin visited a lawyer to express his unusual request, thus beginning a long, hard battle. The parent who inspired him, from whom he had gained his fandom, was long gone, and the 36-year-old was residing with his mom, taking on various types of work, including as a laborer on minimal earnings. He was struggling financially, yet his dream became an obsession. He soon became the local celebrity, then gained worldwide attention, but many seasons full of court cases and discouraging rulings awaited him. Trademark Issues and Limited Success His request was rejected initially for intellectual property issues: he was barred from using the title of a trademark known around the globe. Then a court official allowed a compromise, saying Marin could modify his forename to the city name but that he was prohibited from using the second part as his legal last name. “However, I desire to be associated with just a place in England, I want to wear the name of my favourite football club,” Marin stated during proceedings. The struggle continued. His Beloved Cats When not in court, he was often looking after his cats. He had a large number in his garden in Svishtov and cherished them equally with the Red Devils. He gave each one a name after United players: from Rio to Rooney, they were the celebrity pets in town. The one he loved most of Man U? One named after David Beckham. His attire consistently showed his allegiance. Advances and Ethics He achieved a further success in court: he was allowed to add the club name as an recognized alias on his personal papers. But still he wasn’t happy. “My efforts will persist until my full name is Manchester United,” he declared. His tale attracted business offers – an offer to have supporters' goods 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 adored institution. The team's title was sacred to him. Aspirations Fulfilled and Final Acts A documentary followed in that year. The crew fulfilled his wish of visiting Old Trafford and there he even met the Bulgarian striker, the forward then at the club at the time. Permanently marked the team emblem on his face at a later date as a demonstration against the legal rulings and in his final years it became increasingly hard for him to continue his legal battle. Work was limited and he was bereaved to the pandemic. But somehow, he found a way. Born as a Catholic, he underwent baptism in an religious institution under the name Manchester United Zdravkov Levidzhov. “At least God will know me with my chosen name,” he used to say. This Monday, 13 October, his heart stopped beating. Maybe at last Manchester United’s restless soul could finally find peace.