Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has told Paul Pogba's critics to get real.

Watford host Pogba and Manchester United this weekend.

Doucoure says Pogba's ­outgoing personality is “natural ­exuberance" which brightens the game.

He said: “I've known Paul since I played with him in the French ­Under-16 team and he was, physically, the same as he is today, because he was in advance of everyone.

“Yes, he liked to show off a little bit, but he's a very nice guy, very natural.

“Today there is a ­different ­dimension ­because Paul is a ­superstar, but as a ­character he has ­always been the same – he likes to laugh, he likes to speak about ­everything. We still speak sometimes, and I sent him a message to ­congratulate him on ­winning the World Cup.

Asked to clarify his “show-off" ­comment, and whether he was ­referring to Pogba's manner on or off the pitch, Doucoure replied: “Both – but I think he has this personality because he is good on the pitch.

“It's good for him. It's good to have ­footballers with charisma – I think players like Paul, and Benjamin Mendy as well, bring a lot of ­personality and show off sometimes."