Darren Ferguson denied Ashley Young and his teenage son Tyler the chance to create FA Cup history on Thursday night.
Ashley, 39, and Tyler, 18, had looked set to become the first father and son to play against each other in the 154-year history of the FA Cup when Everton hosted Peterborough at Goodison Park.
Young Sr, had admitted it would be his ‘dream’ to share the pitch with Tyler, but Ferguson – the son of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex – opted to leave the teenager on the bench as Everton ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye.
Ashley and Tyler were seen chatting after the final whistle, but there was obvious disappointment from the pair, and the former posted the one-word message ‘GUTTED’ on Friday morning.
Ferguson defended his actions by insisting Peterborough could not be seen as a ‘charity case’.
So, was Ferguson right or wrong? Six Mail Sport reporters deliver their verdicts…
Darren Ferguson chose to not bring Tyler Young on to play against his dad Ashley
Ashley Young (left) admitted he was ‘gutted’ at being denied the opportunity to share the pitch with his son (right) and make FA Cup history
Darren, who is the son of Sir Alex, defended himself by saying Peterborough are not a ‘charity case’ but he has been criticised by some fans
Matt Barlow
It did seem strangely mean-spirited when we consider how quickly and easily all modern managers will rest and rotate players for cup ties because there are always other priorities.
To send Tyler on for a minute or two would have been to create something unique. It would have been a heartwarming and indelible memory not only for the Young family but for anyone present at Goodison Park.
It would have been one of the FA Cup stories of the season and something Peterborough and Everton fans could cherish as an antidote to the money obsessed world of modern football.
Nathan Salt
The criticism being levelled at Darren Ferguson is absolutely ridiculous.
When he made his final sub in the 88th minute his Peterborough team were 1-0 down to a poor Everton side.
On came Malik Mothersille, who is an attacker with eight goals this season, instead of a teenager with 27 minutes of senior football this season. A complete no brainer.
Nathan Salt believes Ferguson did nothing wrong as his team were still in the game when he made his final substitute
Kieran Gill
Have a heart, Darren. You had five substitutes, and could easily have used one to not make yourself seem like the Tin Man of Peterborough.
In 10, 20, 30 years’ time, I’d be surprised if many will remember much of this FA Cup fixture. Hell, it might be forgotten by the time we get to Sunday.
Whereas Tyler was robbed of a moment he would have cherished for life. But at least Fergie’s son has let us all know he isn’t a ‘charity case’.
Tom Collomosse
Had Peterborough been three goals down, I’d have expected Ferguson to send Young on.
But with the game in the balance, the Peterborough boss had to make choices based only on that. Just ask yourselves: what would his dad have done?
Joe Bernstein
Darren Ferguson botched the Ashley and Tyler Young saga through indecision.
Tyler isn’t a Posh first-teamer and Fergie should have killed the story by stating he wouldn’t play at Everton.
Putting him on the bench and not using him was a head-messer; unfair on the family and all FA Cup romantics.
Joe Bernstein feels Ferguson made a mistake by naming Tyler (pictured) on the bench and raising the possibility that he could play
Craig Hope
OK, I understand Ferguson has to do what he thinks best by his team, even though his ‘we’re not a charity’ comment felt disrespectful to his own player. But I think Ferguson has missed a trick.
What is the FA Cup if it isn’t about fairytale and romance? His team needed a goal – what would have been the perfect way to get it? Tyler Young!
Put him on, let the magic take hold, give him that moment with his dad. Ferguson does not come out of this well.
Ian Ladyman
It’s a non-debate. This was a football match, not a family get together. Ferguson did what was right for his team just as he should have done.
I am sure Young Snr and Jnr got to say hello in the players’ bar afterwards. One drinking soft drinks, of course.
Ian Ladyman thinks Ferguson was just doing what was right for his team to try to win the game
James Sharpe
We all love to talk about the romance of the FA Cup. We like to keep believing in it, too, so we all wanted to see Tyler Young come on and play against his dad Ashley.
It would have been a wonderful moment not just for the Young family but the whole of English football, it’s length and breadth, and a picture of how deeply this game endures through generations.
This was, however, not a charity match. This was no end-of-season dead rubber with nothing riding on it. This was an important FA Cup tie.
Peterborough were only one goal down. They were still in it. Darren Ferguson was trying to force a replay, the finances of which can go a long way for clubs down the pyramid.
If the game had been beyond doubt, he’d have brought Tyler on. This was, however, not a charity match. It was not an end-of-season dead rubber with nothing riding on it. This was an important FA Cup tie. It’s not Soccer Aid.
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