'Super Fan' who legally changed his name to Mr Manchester United passes away after 15 years

Manchester United fans have received sad news as Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov, an ardent supporter who legally changed his name to "Mr Manchester United," has died at the age of 62 in Bulgaria.

Marin Zdravkov, a construction worker living in Sofia, was recognized as one of the most devoted and distinctive fans in the history of the "Red Devils." His passion for the club started after the iconic 2-1 victory of Manchester United over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final—a moment he described as "life-changing forever."

From that point, he spent 15 years persistently pursuing legal action to officially change his name to Manchester United, ultimately winning in 2014. His image, with the club’s badge tattooed prominently on his forehead, spread widely across newspapers and social media worldwide.

Mr United’s modest home in Bulgaria was described as a "miniature museum" dedicated to Manchester United, filled with jerseys, flags, photos, and posters of legends such as Dimitar Berbatov—a fellow countryman he proudly mentioned. Moreover, he named his beloved cat David Beckham, his greatest idol.

Marin Zdravkov Levidzhov was so passionate that he legally changed his name to "Mr Manchester United."

The touching story of Mr United’s name change journey was featured in the 2011 Bulgarian documentary "My Mate Manchester United," which documented the difficult journey of an ordinary man living fully for his love of football.

In 2014, The Sun fulfilled his greatest dream: visiting Old Trafford. Mr United flew over 4,000 miles to England and was invited by the club to tour the stadium, locker rooms, and pitch—where he was moved to tears. He was also taken to the Stadium of Light to watch the Sunderland vs. Man United match; although it ended 1-1, for him, "just witnessing the team in my heart was enough."

During that trip, through an interpreter, he emotionally said: "I cannot thank enough for my dream becoming reality. To stand where my heroes once played is the greatest moment of my life. I will share this day with my children and grandchildren forever."

Three years later, in 2017, he returned to Manchester during the team’s summer tour, where he met players and coaching staff. Although United finished second behind Manchester City that season, Mr United said he was "proud to live in the same era as them."

The cause of his death has not been revealed, but news of Mr Manchester United’s passing has stunned the worldwide "Red Devils" fan community. Thousands of supporters have sent condolences, calling him "a symbol of loyalty and pure love for football."