I am 80% certain that the only reason he didn't leave in the Summer was because there were no suitors that would take him. At least none that was good enough for his ego. I am not buying that United was refusing to sell him, especially at the tail end of the transfer window. I am afraid same will be true in January. At this point, I think United (esp. Ten Hag) are happy to sell him, but he just has nowhere viable to go to. He can go to China, or MLS or somewhere like that, but he thinks he is too good for it. But nobody else wants him.
Dude has no idea how to age and retire gracefully.