Tom Cruise reveals love of footie at Manchester Derby

Actor Tom Cruise watches the action from the stands Photo: Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport

Tom Cruise caught some of the action at today's eventful Manchester Derby as he revealed that he has been following English football since the Eighties.

The Top Gun star travelled to the Etihad Stadium to watch the crunch match between champions City and the current leaders of the Barclays Premier League, Manchester United.

Get ITV Sport's full match coverage here.

(L-R) Actors Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise with Sky Sports correspondant Geoff Shreeves pitchside before kick-off Credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Always a maverick, the American actor said he had been watching English football since the Eighties and predicted a "great game" between the top two.

"This is the first game that I've seen in England," he admitted to Sky Sports 1.

"I've been following it since the Eighties so I'm just excited that I'm able to be here."

(L-R) Actors Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise with Sky Sports correspondant Geoff Shreeves pitchside before kick-off Credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Cruise is friends with David Beckham and he revealed that the former England captain had sent him a message ahead of the game.

"He wishes he was here. I got an email from him, he's jealous that I'm here," he said.

Actor Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise (L) pitchside before kick-off Credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Apocalypse Now actor Robert Duvall accompanied Cruise at the game, but appeared to be a little rusty on the rules. He said: "Will there be a shootout today? No. If it's a tie? No."