United terminated Ronaldo’s contract by mutual consent two days before Portugal’s World Cup campaign began after he gave an explosive interview to Piers Morgan on Talk TV in which he criticised the club and Ten Hag; the Dutchman told MUTV: “He’s gone and it’s the past”

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he has put the Cristiano Ronaldo situation behind him as he addressed the forward’s departure for the first time.

United terminated Ronaldo’s contract by mutual consent two days before Portugal’s World Cup campaign began after he gave an explosive interview to Piers Morgan on Talk TV in which he criticised the club and Ten Hag.

Ronaldo said he felt “betrayed” by people at the club for trying to force him out and that he has “no respect” for Ten Hag because “he doesn’t show respect for me”.

The Dutchman, who is in Spain with the United players not at the World Cup for a winter training camp, told MUTV: “He’s gone and it’s the past.

“We are now looking forward and we’re looking to the future”, added Ten Hag ahead of Wednesday night’s friendly against Spanish top-flight side Cadiz.

Ronaldo, who is now free to find another club, has played down talk of a deal being agreed for him to join Saudi club Al Nassr, saying the reports are “not true”.

The 37-year-old has failed to set the World Cup alight so far and was dropped for Tuesday night’s last-16 encounter against Switzerland, with his replacement Goncalo Ramos’ hat-trick inspiring a 6-1 thrashing.