Big Phil denies Ronaldo exit claims

Chelsea's new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has rubbished claims he warned Man Utd they will not be able to stop Cristiano Ronaldo leaving.

Scolari, who has stepped down as Portugal's national team coach following their Euro 2008 quarter-final exit at the hands of Germany, is set to embark on his new role at Stamford Bridge in the very near future.

However he is already walking into a potential Premier League storm after reportedly telling the media that United would not be able to prevent 23-year-old Ronaldo from joining Real Madrid in an £80million transfer.

He was quoted over the weekend as saying: "He is so strong mentally and he is in control of his own destiny - and because of that Manchester United can do nothing to hurt him."

However Scolari has moved quickly to deny making the comments in a bid to prevent a row between himself and United.

"Luiz Felipe Scolari denies having made any of the declarations printed concerning the future of Cristiano Ronaldo," read a statement from the Portuguese FA.

"Furthermore, the national team coach has not made any contact with the media since the end of the match between Portugal and Germany when he spoke about the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

"Luiz Felipe Scolari regrets that his name is being used in connection with speculation and lies, and takes this opportunity to deny in advance any alleged declarations used by the media without their authenticity being thoroughly confirmed."