Rene Meulensteen names two Premier League players he recommended to Manchester United

Former first-team coach Rene Meulensteen has admitted that he was ignored when he once recommended Son Heung-min and Willian to Manchester United.

The Dutchman, who is now the assistant boss of the Australian national team, spent more than a decade at Old Trafford during Sir Alex Ferguson's long-term spell in charge. He left the club at the end of Ferguson's reign after not being included in new boss David Moyes' plans.

Following his exit from United, the Dutchman joined Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, who, at the time, were a side with plenty of emerging talent within their ranks. It was there when he first learnt of Willian and his quality, meaning he immediately recommended him to Moyes and the Reds.

READ MORE: Alejandro Garnacho might have three chances to be United FA Cup final surprise

The 59-year-old also recommended Son to United a few years later, but his advice was again ignored. It was during the 2015/16 campaign that the Dutchman first caught a glimpse of Son.

Meulensteen, speaking to United's official Scandinavian supporters club, said: "It really annoys me a little bit because when Son just came to Tottenham so many years ago, I felt, after seeing him one or two seasons, this is the player United need to buy. Well I mentioned it. There was another one I recommended as well.

"When I left United I went to Anzhi in Russia with Guus Hiddink and then Guus left and I took over, and I had a really interesting squad with a lot of interesting individuals: Samuel Eto'o, Lassana Diarra, Christopher Samba was there… and Willian.

"Now that's the player, because I actually rang David about [Moyes] because they were looking for players and I knew Willian was a mad Man United fan, because he asked me, he said, 'Can