Keisuke Honda has ended his stint at Vitesse Arnhem just six weeks after arriving, despite begging Manchester United to sign him in September.
The 33-year-old Japanese star had taken to Twitter earlier this year offering United the opportunity to secure his services this season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned the offer down and Honda opted to take his talents to Holland with Vitesse.
However, the former AC Milan midfielder has left the club after only six weeks, making four league appearances without registering a goal or an assist.
Honda stated that his failure to turn around the club's fortunes was the reason for his departure.
'When I came here, my mission was to change the situation,' Honda said. 'I did not succeed. [Former manager] Leonid Slutskiy left the club. I feel responsible for that.
'That's why I don't think I should play here after the winter. I appreciate that everyone, team-mates and supporters, took good care of me.'
Honda leaves Vitesse languishing in sixth place in the Eredivisie, 14 points behind leaders Ajax. The Japanese international has a rich European pedigree having played nearly 200 games for CSKA Moscow and AC Milan, and made a pitch to help United out in the Premier League four months ago.
Honda has never played in England before but backed himself to be the man to bring United creativity from midfield, with Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard misfiring.
He said: 'Give me an offer. I don't need money but I need to play with great team and great team mate.'
Now Honda remains a free agent after his stint in Holland, and will be looking for a new club to play at while balancing his commitments as Cambodia national team manager, a post he has held since 2018.