Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has finally broken his silence on Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial exit from the club.
The 37-year-old's relationship with the club's hierarchy took a drastic turn for the worse following a number of controversial statements he made during an interview with Piers Morgan last month, including multiple digs at owners the Glazer family and manager Ten Hag, whom he accused of trying to "force him out of the club".
Read: WATCH: What Ronaldo did after being dropped against the Swiss
The interview came just weeks after Ronaldo caused a stir by refusing to come on as a substitute and storming out of Old Trafford during United's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in October.
As such, the Red Devils and the Portugal star decided to part ways with a mutual termination of his contract late in November, with the forward forgoing about £17 million (R357 million) in expected earnings to ensure his exit from the Theatre of Dreams.
Ten hag has now broken his silence on the striker's departure.
"He's gone and it's the past," the 52-year-old told MUTV.
"We are now looking forward and we're looking to the future.
"I have the feeling, we have the feeling that we are in the right direction, but we also know that it's still a lot of work to do for us here."
Since Ronaldo's exit was made official, the Manchester club has been linked with a number of replacements, including Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix, PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo and Barcelona star Memphis Depay, while the veteran was reported to be close to a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, although it remains to be seen if that transfer will materialise.
Read: Ronaldo's big-money Middle East move off?
With Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford being the only senior options available for the No. 9 role at United, it is likely the club will attempt to sign a new forward in the January transfer window.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: THE TOP-PAID PLAYERS AT THE 2022 WORLD CUP