Rene Meulensteen admits he recommended Anzhi star Willian to Manchester United.
Meulensteen left United for Anzhi this summer before dismissal earlier this month.
He told the Telegraph: "There were good players like Willian, a player who can make a difference, a player that people come to the stadium to watch. A good character too. I made United aware of him straight away when things were going belly-up. 'Have a look at him,' I told them. At the top level you need to refresh at the right time. Like Van Persie with us last year.
"We were really lacking that quality, that powerhouse up front, bringing others into play. If he hadn't come we would not have won the Premier League.''
Willian is set to sign for Chelsea this weekend.
