'We became possessed!' - Hollywood star Julia Roberts reveals how she became a 'true fan' of Man Utd

A guest on the the Graham Norton Show - alongside Cher, Timothee Chalamet and Tom Hanks - Roberts was questioned as to the reasons for her love of football and the club. The Hollywood actress saw United play Arsenal in a pre-season game in New York and has been a guest at Old Trafford previously.

When Norton asked Roberts how she became a United fan, she replied: "I've been to Old Trafford, I'm a true fan... I have three children and when they were really little and started playing soccer they started watching it on TV. I didn't ever realise how exciting it was to watch it on television. We just got so into it and somehow Manchester United just became our team, the Moder family team. We became sort of possessed.”

Rival Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has a deep admiration for Julia Roberts. He spoke of his hurt when Roberts chose to visit United, and not City, when she was in Manchester.

He said at the time: "Julia Roberts years ago came to Manchester - not in the 90s when Sir Alex [Ferguson] was winning titles and titles and titles. She came in the period where we were better than United, in these four or five years, right? She went to visit Man United. She didn't come to see us. That's why even if I win the Champions League it will not compare for the fact that Julia Roberts came to Manchester and didn't come to see us."

Roberts' beloved United will travel to St James' Park this evening hoping to strengthen their efforts to secure Champions League football for next season. Newcastle boss, Eddie Howe, recently claimed everyone is against his side - sadly for him, so will the Hollywood star tonight.