CRISTIANO Ronaldo has admitted that he is pleased to see Chelsea top of the Premier League because it reflects well on his former international coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The Manchester United striker was speaking at the opening of his fashion boutique CR7 in Lisbon when he admitted: 'Things are going well for Scolari and from a personal perspective, I'd say that's good because I'm a fan of his and a friend.

'But I obviously don't want him to stay top of the League for long, because I want Manchester United to win the League.'

The pair have been close ever since Scolari was the man who told Ronaldo that his father had died before a World Cup Qualifier against Russia in Sep 2005.

'I watched that young kid grow up over the last five years,' said Scolari of Ronaldo's development since taking charge in 2003.

Scolari's new side Chelsea have shrugged off injury problems that have seen Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho, Didier Drogba all sidelined, and after an unbeaten start to the season, sit joint-top of the league with Liverpool, four points ahead of Arsenal and six ahead of champions Man United.

Only Manchester City have scored more goals in Scolari's new-look attacking Chelsea side.

Ronaldo also spoke about his return from injury, the appointment of Carlos Queiroz, the former assistant coach at United, as his new international boss, and his preference for playing on the wing as opposed to in the middle.

'I was injured for a while, but I came back very well,' he said. 'I feel good, and I feel that I'm improving from game to game.'

Queiroz admitted after the Denmark loss that the big problem he faces remains Portugal?s lack of a recognised top-class centre-forward, and that, because of the depth of talented wingers at his disposal - Ricardo Quaresma, Simao Sabrosa, Nani - he would prefer to use Ronaldo to solve his problem-position in the centre.

'Playing as a central striker is not my favourite position, but if I have to play in that position I will do it with pride,' said Ronaldo.

'For me, it is a privilege to be in the national team and to play is an even bigger privilege.

Ambitious

'It's not easy to score more goals than I have been scoring, but as I'm an ambitious player, I always want the best for me and for my team. I will try to do my best, regardless where I am playing.'

Ronaldo gave Queiroz his vote of confidence and is convinced that Portugal will qualify from Group A and make it to South Africa, where Queiroz also enjoyed a spell as national coach.

'Carlos is someone who I have worked with for many years and I know him very well,' added Ronaldo. 'I'm a big fan of his, I like the way he works. He didn't start well, because of our World Cup Qualifying defeat to Denmark, but I believe he will do a great job with these players.'