The freedom to be odd

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Sofia, Bulgaria

A Bulgarian construction worker has won the right to change his name officially to Manchester United, which also happens to be the name of a popular British soccer club. The former Zdravkov Levichov started a lawsuit two years ago to force the government to allow the change. “I’ve always been a Manchester United fan, and I wanted to change my name since I was a schoolboy,” United, 39, told the Edinburgh Scotsman. “But under communism it was not possible.” Bulgaria became democratic in 1990, and its laws have been changing slowly since then. United’s fight isn’t over, though. The court has ruled that his legal name is now Manchester Zdravkov Levichov United, and United says he won’t be satisfied until the two middle names are removed.

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