The blond striker made his United debut in Tuesday's 4-0 battering of Bolton Wanderers, and showed enough promise to suggest he will be involved again in Saturday's clash with Sunderland.
Sir Alex Ferguson had to beat off competition from Middlesbrough in order to land his man, but Bonetti has claimed he played a major part in the Premiership champions' signing of the 23-year-old.
Bonetti, brother of Dundee boss Ivano, spotted Forlan's potential during a scouting trip in South America, and spoke to United's marketing director Ron Gourlay about the player.
"I knew the minute I saw Forlan that he was someone who could play at the very top level," Bonetti told The Courier. "But we could not afford to spend the kind of money Independiente wanted, on one player.
"One of Manchester United's officials was up watching us beat Hibs later on last year, though, and, when I was speaking to him afterwards, I suggested that Forlan was someone they should take a look at."
