Plenty saying how poor McTom’s passing was compared to Fred’s. I wasn’t convinced and having watched again, I’m still not. I can find 6 particularly poor passes, 3 for each player, and 4 (2 each) where Lady Luck takes a hand, either good or bad. A Thread of these ten passes.

A shocker from Scot. Defender doesn’t have to move.

A shocker from Fred. Defender doesn’t have to move.

A 2nd shocker from Scot. Straight into touch.

A 2nd shocker from Fred. Defender doesn’t have to move.

Perhaps not quite as bad as the others from Scot. Worth trying with Martial running into the box.

Poor from Fred, especially just outside his own box.

That’s 6 poor passes although I’d argue the “least poor” one is McTom’s attempt to set Martial free in the box. After all, aren’t we forever forgiving one of our players for trying difficult passes into the box, or is it one rule for one and one for another?

Next are four passes, two for each player, where either a bit of good luck or a bit of bad luck is involved. In the first one Fred maybe creates his own bad luck by accidentally standing on the ball in the first place.

After standing on it he turns and pokes it towards Shaw. The Villa man touches it first but Shaw immediately rescues it. Lucky that Shaw does well, a touch unlucky that it will probably go down as an incomplete pass.

Scot a touch unlucky that the defender just manages to get a touch on it, otherwise Martial might be in. Also Martial still gets it, but like the previous one by Fred, the defender touches it first, so incomplete.

This will obviously be complete but it’s lucky on this occasion for Fred that Harry is on his toes. It’s sloppy and Harry has to put a spurt on and his happy to beat the opponent to it.

Scot tries a through ball which is cut out. It’s worth a try and it’s great defensive play on the stretch. Defender does well. It’s not like other passes earlier straight to the defender, he does great to prevent it reaching Rashford. Unlucky.

If you are criticising McTom’s passing is there really that much difference between the two. Not for me there isn’t. Make your own mind up for sure, but is there any point in ignoring the poor play by either one of the two players ?