VIDEO: 'He was never the problem' - Erik ten Hag defends Cristiano Ronaldo after Al-Nassr star bags pre-season hat-trick and aims subtle dig at Man Utd

The 40-year-old put in an eye-catching display in his side's 4-0 win over Rio Ave this week as the Saudi Pro League team stepped up their preparations for the new season. More than two and a half years ago, however, Ronaldo was jettisoned from United's first-team squad by then-manager Ten Hag, before the Portuguese left for Al-Nassr. The Dutchman guided the Red Devils to Carabao Cup and FA Cup glory following the veteran's departure and when asked about Ronaldo, the current Bayer Leverkusen boss suggested there were bigger problems than him at United.

When asked if Ronaldo was "still the problem" after scoring a hat-trick, Ten Hag replied: "For me, it is no problem, he was never the problem. I think that's the past, it is what happened, and after that we won two trophies at Manchester United, and I wish him all the best for the future."

Ten Hag may have been justified in letting Ronaldo leave United back in 2023, as they went on to win two more trophies, before he was sacked less than a year ago. And while the former Real Madrid man is still prolific at Al-Nassr, there is a big difference between the Saudi top-flight and the Premier League. It also appears that Ten Hag bears no ill will towards the ex-Juventus man.

Ronaldo will hope to continue this good form for their final pre-season game on Sunday against Almeria, whereas Ten Hag's Leverkusen next take on SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Friday.