Erik ten Hag breaks silence on Cristiano Ronaldo saga

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has spoken publicly for the first time on Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the club.

Ronaldo and the Red Devils mutually agreed to a contract termination earlier this month after criticising the club in an interview with Piers Morgan.

The 37-year-old accused Ten Hag of lacking respect after he tried to substitute Ronaldo late into their 2-0 win against Tottenham in October. The forward refused and ended up leaving the stadium before full-time.

Speaking in his first interview since Ronaldo’s outburst, Ten Hag was keen to move on from the saga.

“He’s gone and it’s the past. We are now looking forward and we’re looking to the future,” he said.

Ronaldo scored just three goals in 16 appearances this season for United, with only one coming in the Premier League.

Ten Hag often chose to start Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and even midfielder Christian Eriksen up front.

Ronaldo has now also been dropped at international level, with Portugal boss Fernando Santos benching him for their World Cup last 16 tie with Switzerland.

The decision proved a masterstroke as Ronaldo’s replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick and led the line superbly in a 6-1 thrashing.

90min understands Ronaldo is mulling over a world record contract offer from Al Nassr, though he has denied reports that he has agreed to the deal just yet.