Cristiano Ronaldo admits to missing Manchester United

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The Portuguese winger, who left United for a record £80million fee in the summer, said his challenge now is to help Real challenge the dominance of Barcelona as the best club in the world.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have hit a poor patch of form but Ronaldo dismisses the pundits who believe they are struggling without him.

Ronaldo, speaking in Zurich ahead of the FIFA world player award, said: "I think Manchester United are doing very well this season - they have lost the last two games but they are still second in the league.

"What people think about me is their opinion but I really miss Manchester a little bit as I played there for six years and I left a few friends there.

"So I miss the club a little bit but I'm focused now at Real Madrid and I'm really, really happy there."

Ronaldo concedes that Barcelona, whose victory in the Club World Cup at the weekend made it a staggering six trophies in the last year, have to be regarded as the best club on the planet - but he is determined to challenge their supremacy.

"Barcelona has won everything this year so have to be the best club at the moment," he added.

"Barcelona have a style of play and players who have been playing together for many years so they are an outstanding team.

"But we will do at our best at Real Madrid to win the league and Champions League.

"It's going to be difficult but in football everything is possible if you work hard and dedicate yourself to that endeavour."

Ronaldo, whose Portugal side knocked out England in their last two major tournament finals in 2004 and 2006, also tipped Fabio Capello's side as one to watch in next summer's World Cup.

"My opinion is England have a fantastic team and had a great qualification [campaign] and a good coach," he said.

"They have an opportunity next year to do a great job in South Africa - but not just England, Spain are strong and Brazil as always.

"Portugal also has a chance - look at Euro 2004 when no one spoke about Greece beforehand and they won the tournament.

"I'm looking forward to a great World Cup and I'm really focused."