Manchester United star Paul Pogba is a ‘show-off’ but he backs it up, says Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure

The pair were teammates at youth level for France and exchanged messages during the World Cup

Watford‘s Abdoulaye Doucoure says Paul Pogba has always been a “show-off” – but that’s a good thing.

The two will meet again on Saturday as Manchester United travel to Vicarage Road, having played together right through the French international youth teams up until the under-21s, and the Watford midfielder says Pogba has had the same exuberant personality.

“He was the same,” Doucoure says. “He likes to show off a little bit, but he’s a very nice guy, very natural. Today there’s a different dimension, because he is a superstar, but he was always the same. He like to laugh, to speak about everything.

“Both [on and off the pitch], he has this personality… he gets this because he is good on the pitch as well. It’s good for him.

“Benjamin Mendy as well, bring a lot of personality, show-off sometimes. It’s good in the football.

Paul Pogba appeared to apologise to supporters as he left the pitch (Getty)

“Since under-16, I played with him [Pogba]. And he was, physically, the same like today. He was in advance of everyone. He had his technique. He grew up in Italy, I think he did very good things in England. Of course, he is a very important player for Manchester United. We have to be aware of him, he will be very dangerous for us.”

Doucoure says that they still stay in touch, and exchanged messages during the World Cup.

“We speak together sometimes... I sent him a message in the World Cup, congratulate him on the title.”

It is possible they may speak together as teammates again soon, as Doucoure’s fine form for Watford has put him on the radar of French manager Didier Deschamps. Capped for every underage side, the 25-year-old has not yet received a full international cap, but says a call-up this season is something he is now aiming for – and that Watford’s run is helping.

“Yeah, I think, if Watford was good like we are at the moment, it’s good for me, it’s good for maybe call-up to national team,” he adds. ”Of course it’s one of my dreams to have a call-up there. I have to be very good on the pitch. Watford have to to be at the top as well, to have more visibility for me. Of course, I can have a call-up this year.”