Cruise in Manchester for football (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Cruise in Manchester for football

3:50pm Sunday 9th December 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Tom Cruise could see Manchester City's bid to retain their Premier League crown become almost mission impossible at the Manchester derby.

The Hollywood 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.

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.

Defeat for City would open up a six-point gap at the top of the table, which would be difficult to close against an in-form United.

"This is the first game that I've seen in England," Tom said on Sky Sports 1.

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

The Jerry Maguire actor is friends with David Beckham and he revealed 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," Tom added.

Apocalypse Now actor Robert Duvall was also 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."