Erik ten Hag: 'Cristiano Ronaldo instigated Manchester United exit'

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that Cristiano Ronaldo instigated his move away from the club, with the Red Devils planning to keep him for the rest of the campaign.

The 37-year-old had his contract with the English giants terminated at the end of November following the explosive interview that he gave to Piers Morgan on TalkTV.

Ronaldo had a deal with the Red Devils until next June, and it is believed that the club were intending to keep him for the remainder of the season before signing a replacement.

The Portugal international's interview with Morgan forced the club's hand, though, and he allegedly gave up in the region of £16m in wages by leaving in late November.

Ten Hag has said that he is now 'looking to the future', with Ronaldo 'choosing to say goodbye' to the club rather than the other way around.

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"The team has been focused on getting back to the Premier League," Ten Hag told Viaplay Sport before the clash with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

"All I see is a hungry team. I do not look back, only to the future. He chose to say goodbye, he is no longer part of the team. He's gone and it's in the past. We are now looking forward and looking at the future."

Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford were both on the scoresheet against Forest, with Ten Hag's side recording a 3-0 victory over the newly-promoted side at Old Trafford.

However, the club are said to be working to sign a new striker during the January transfer window.

Man United could be forced to look at the loan market, with the Glazers said to be reluctant to sanction a big-money January deal due to the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club.

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Ronaldo, meanwhile, is seemingly on the verge of completing a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

The forward had allegedly been hopeful of moving to a Champions League club, but it is understood that there has not been a single serious offer for his services from a European side.

Sporting Lisbon, Chelsea and Newcastle United were among the clubs to be linked with the forward when his exit from the 20-time English champions was confirmed.

Man United will be bidding to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they head to Molineux on Saturday to take on struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.