Erik ten Hag has spoken about Cristiano Ronaldo's exit from Manchester United for the first time, issuing a blunt response to a question about the departed Portugal superstar.
Ronaldo's contract was terminated by United last month following an incendiary interview he gave to Piers Morgan, in which he criticised Ten Hag, the Glazers and the club in general.
Ronaldo had returned to United on a two-year contract with the option of an additional year in August 2021, but his second stint in Manchester lasted just 15 months.
Read more: Ronaldo posts Instagram message after being dropped
Ten Hag is currently in Andalusia for a warm-weather training camp with a makeshift United side as they work on their fitness ahead of the season's resumption in two weeks.
It is also the first time the Dutchman had spoken to the media since Ronaldo's interview, so it was only natural that he be asked about it.
When asked how he had handled the situation by official club media, Ten Hag bluntly replied: “He’s gone and it’s the past. We are now looking forward and we’re looking to the future.”
United are open to signing a forward in the January transfer window to offset the departure of Ronaldo. The Manchester Evening News understands United are able to "push the button" to reveal a list of potential options in the mid-season market.
United are planning to supplement director of data science Dominic Jordan with four more data scientists, but believe they are in a position to immediately identify attainable targets in January.
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