After Julia Roberts met with Manchester United players and staff on their pre-season tour of America, Pep Guardiola might want to turn his head away.
After previously being welcomed behind the scenes, the American-born Hollywood actress now calls the Red Devils her team and lives in the United States.
In November 2016, Guardiola’s hero went to Old Trafford to witness Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United team.
Roberts went to a United game at Old Trafford at the time with her three kids, who are also ruмored to be supporters, and her cinematographer husband Daniel Moder.
After Saturday’s friendly victory against Arsenal, she was given unrestricted access for a second time and posed for pictures with United manager Erik ten Hag and other celebrities at the MetLife stadium.
In a dig at their cross-city rivals, the Premier League giants also sent her a home shirt that was emblazoned with the number one and Roberts.
Roberts shares the same celebrity status as the biggest United players and several people approached the 55-year-old fan to take their picture. Roberts was hugged as Marcus Rashford, who had just signed a new long-term contract with his old club, threw his arm around him.
After stretching his legs during the preseason, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was beaming from ear to ear as he stood next to her.
Scott McTominay of Scotland and Bruno Fernandes, the new captain of United, both couldn’t contain their excitement upon meeting Roberts.
Guardiola, however, is left wondering what could have been after Roberts solidified her affection for Manchester’s red half.
Guardiola declared: “I am a failure in the Champions League” two months prior to their first-ever victory in the competition for the top award in Europe. I will still be a failure even if I win the Champions League three times in a row.
‘In my life, I have three idols. Tiger Woods, Julia Roberts, and Michael Jordan. My three heroes are these people.
Julia Roberts visited Manchester in the past; not in the 1990s, when Sir Alex Ferguson was winning countless championships.
Even if I win the Champions League, it won’t compare to Julia Roberts traveling to Manchester and not seeing us, I said.
However, once they won the Champions League and completed the treble, Roberts did go on to applaud Guardiola.