Bruno drives me crazy, but he wouldn’t be so annoying if United had some better players

I HAVE given Bruno Fernandes plenty of stick for his tantrums over the years, so it’s time to redress the balance.

He may not be captaincy material in my eyes because of his petulance, but he’s also Manchester United’s best player by a mile and the only way they can win a trophy this season.

If he played for a properly decent team like Manchester City or Liverpool, I bet he wouldn’t get half as frustrated.

I’ve always admired players who show courage and Bruno is definitely one of those.

Bravery doesn’t always have to mean crunching into 50-50 tackles. It’s about taking the ball under pressure, knowing there will be groans around the stadium if you lose it but accepting the responsibility of creating for your team.

Yes, his histrionics can drive me and everyone else crazy. But it’s about time to acknowledge there are reasons why. And to understand why he’s like that.

It’s because he cares and can’t help becoming incredibly frustrated that the players around him in this United team often aren’t at his level.

He is the one who has to try the defence-splitting pass or take a shot because others won’t.

The Portugal international is also durable. He makes himself available to play every time, no matter how difficult the team’s form is.

We can all think of players who might ‘feel’ an injury niggle when the going gets tough and decide to sit out a game or two.

I’ve watched Bruno (right) closely in United’s last matches against Liverpool and Bournemouth. It’s only down to him that Erik ten Hag’s team were able to eke out two 2-2 draws.

That has to be credited and admired. So does his Premier League record of 52 goals and 39 assists in 155 games from midfield — in a struggling United team. Can you imagine his numbers if he was playing in a top side?

United will rely on him again to produce a bit of magic in today’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry. They will be hot favourites against Championship opposition and it is Bruno who will carry the attacking burden.

I’m sure that annoying part to his game would subside if United were a more cohesive unit.

I can’t disagree that he should stay more focused and keep his discipline as the team leader. But I understand that behaviour comes from a place of desperation. Going back to my playing days, if you’re around people who aren’t as capable, it can wind you up and make things difficult.

Bruno is not good at suppressing his emotions but at the same time his contribution has been huge.

You wouldn’t get the same drama if he was playing for Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp because he wouldn’t see team-mates lose the ball or make a defensive gaffe as often as United do. It will be interesting to see if Bruno can put on a show at Wembley today. The FA Cup throws up brilliant stories and seeing Mark Robins lead out Coventry against the club where he made his name as a player is certainly that.

Robins is credited with saving Alex Ferguson’s job with his third round winner at Nottingham Forest in 1990, when United went on win the trophy.

I remember the game because my brother was a United fan and went to the City Ground to watch.

No competition throws up plot lines quite like the FA Cup and as soon as Coventry won at Wolves in the last round and United had beaten Liverpool, I was sure they’d be paired together.

It takes me back to my childhood days. One of my favourite FA Cup finals was watching Coventry beat Tottenham 3-2 in 1987 as a 10-year-old. Dave Bennett’s cross for Keith Houchen’s diving header lives with me still. Some of the Sky Blue fans at Wembley today will have been there 38 years ago.

Another fairytale is possible this time, but they will have to deal with Bruno, who will be the most gifted player on the pitch.

I’m not excusing his more extreme behaviour, but I appreciate where it comes from and acknowledge that without him, United would be far worse off than they are now.