Scott McTominay and Fred are regular midfield partners at Manchester United, especially in big games.
The two players contribute hugely from a defensive perspective, helping United protect the back four. Against Spurs they contributed nine tackles combined.
But when it comes to the attacking side, McTominay and Fred’s partnership has been unbalanced, with the Scotland international scoring seven times this season.
Fred finally scored his first goal of the season against Tottenham on Sunday, the important equaliser in a 3-1 win.
McTominay spoke to the club website after the game, commenting on Fred’s strike and overall contribution. It’s good to see. He has that energy, he was terrific.
“I’m sure the manager will be pleased with a lot of players today. Paul [Pogba], Mason [Greenwood] and the boys who got the goals; Edi [Cavani], top, top drawer.”
McTominay himself was at the centre of controversy after United’s first goal was disallowed. He was judged to have fouled Heung Min Son in the build-up.
He said: “It was a total injustice but you’ve just got to get on with the game. We can’t let that [disallowed goal] dampen the way we were playing towards the end of the first half, but getting three points in a really difficult game was pleasing. [It was a] brilliant win and nothing but positives in the second half.”
Fred has his say
Fred also spoke to the club website after the game and says he hopes to score more regularly. This was his first goal since February 2020.
He said: “Very happy about the goal. It’s my first goal this season. I know my job is not to score goals, but when I’m scoring goals I’m very happy. I need to keep it going to try and score more this season.”
There are not many games left for Fred to follow up and score another. His strike against Spurs was perfectly timed, giving United an equaliser with plenty of time left to go and score a winner.
McTominay was right about Fred’s ‘terrific’ energy. He touched the ball 97 times in total, more than any player on the pitch.
It was for his application in big games like this that Jose Mourinho signed him for United in the first place.
He got a timely reminder at on Sunday, with Fred showing his former boss what might have been.
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