Erik ten Hag pinned the blame for Cristiano Ronaldo's departure solely on the player as Manchester United returned to Premier League action without the superstar striker.
The Red Devils terminated Ronaldo's contract by mutual consent in November after he burned his bridges with the club in a jaw-dropping interview with Piers Morgan. Ten Hag has been keen to move on from the regrettable episode as he targets Champions League qualification in the second half of the season.
The Dutchman was typically tight-lipped ahead of Tuesday night's encounter with Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. He did, however, insist it was Ronaldo's decision "to say goodbye" in what was seemingly a reference to the Portuguese's no-holds-barred interview with Morgan.
Quizzed by Viaplay about whether he is pleased to have cleared the "tension" with Ronaldo's exit, Ten Hag replied: "The focus is on the resumption of the league. I only see a hungry team." Pressed on whether the five-time Ballon d'Or winner had disturbed that hunger, he declared: "I don't look back, I only look forward. He chose to say goodbye, he (Ronaldo) is no longer part of it."
Ten Hag's latest comments on Ronaldo were in keeping with his initial response to the bombshell exit in early December. "He's gone and it's the past," the manager told MUTV of the former Real Madrid and Juventus forward. "We are now looking forward and we're looking to the future."
As for Ronaldo, he released a statement after news of his contract being terminated hit the airwaves. He said: "Following conversations with Manchester United, we have mutually agreed to end our contract early.
Were you impressed by the way Erik ten Hag handled Cristiano Ronaldo's exit? Have your say in the comments!
"I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge. I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future."
Following Ronaldo's departure, United will focus their efforts on signing a new striker next summer and they have assembled a three-player shortlist including Benfica's Goncalo Ramos, AC Milan's Rafael Leao and Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic. In the meantime, the Red Devils will explore loan moves for players who can bolster Ten Hag's attacking ranks for the next few months, as they predict signing a permanent replacement to be difficult in January.
Ten Hag was also reminded of the quality already at his disposal in the first half of the clash with Forest. Marcus Rashford gave United the lead at Old Trafford following a well-worked set piece before the Englishman turned provider, setting up Anthony Martial to double the advantage within the first half-hour.
