They aren't anywhere near the same level and both the eye-test and stats back that up.
- Fred makes 25% more passes p/90 because he doesn't spend his time hiding in cover shadow when his own team has the ball...
- His shot-creating actions p/90 are nearly 50% higher because he actually tries to be progressive.
- His pressures p/90 are about 35% higher because he actually tries to win the ball back, McTominay mostly jogs around looking like he's trying to keep the midfield shape.
- His numbers for blocks and interceptions are both better despite him being the one going to the ball more often. Which probably tells you all you need to know about McTominay's positioning when he's 'trying' to shield the back 4.
- Both his xG and xA are also 4x higher each.
Literally the only thing McTominay does is win more aerial duels, and even then there's only about 12% in it despite him being
significantly taller. From an eye-test point of view I'd say he's a bit more press-resistant and his range of passing is arguably better as he can hit the occasion good long pass, but overall Fred's completion numbers are better over every single range despite him being the more progressive passer.
Fred rushes out of position to pressure, McTominay holds position and tracks back. The only thing that would make Fred's approach better is if we are able to win the ball or force a mistake from rushing out of position. Anytime that doesnt happen now Fred is taken out of the game and McTominay has to try and position himself to cover 2 DM roles, which he doesnt do well because that would require a specialist like Makelele and neither of them are that.
On the ball Fred is more active, that comes with the downside of losing the ball frustratingly and most critically in terrible areas. He's frequent in losing the ball 35-40 yards from his own goal when an opponent pressures him and he has a lack of awareness or a heavy touch. Teams have both targetted and punished this. And it has its benefits too as you listed. Its a good and bad thing - McTominay should be more active and do the things he has shown he can do more often, but not at the cost of losing the ball in terrible areas or with frustrating lack of care passes like Fred.
Fred was better last season if we put his goals and assists to the side, his performances and overall work were better. But of course you dont put those numbers to the side. He was lacking in goals and assists and now this season he has provided them.
McTominay is the opposite. He's better this season with his passing and will spread play much better with his passing than last season where it was a severe issue. But now that he's holding position as a DM more he isnt getting forward and scoring, which is the thing he actually looked best at in previous seasons - shots from the edge of the box and getting on the end of crosses for headers and getting some goals. So while his performances have been better, his end product has gone.
Both are worse than either of Brighton's midfielders from Saturday and they are 9th