Darren Ferguson slammed for leaving Ashley Young's son on bench and denying moment of history against Everton

Yesterday at 05:19 PM

Darren Ferguson has been heavy criticised on social media after leaving Ashley Young’s son, Tyler, on the bench and denying a moment of history in Peterborough’s 2-0 defeat to Everton in the FA Cup.

Much of the talk in the build-up to this evening’s third-round tie had centred around the potential father-son meeting at Goodison Park.

The duo were upstaged somewhat just hours before kick-off, as the Toffees announced that they had sacked Sean Dyche as manager, with David Moyes in advanced talks to take over the reins.

Peterborough’s hopes of causing an upset were dented in the 42nd minute as Beto finished brilliantly to open the scoring and Iliman Ndiaye doubled Everton’s lead in the eighth minute of added time to put the game to bed.

With 20 minutes remaining on Merseyside, 36-year-old Young was brought on for Nathan Patterson to set up the dream scenario of the former England international facing his teenage son, 18.

Never before have a father-son duo played against each other in the history of the FA Cup – and it remains the case after Ferguson opted the leave the Peterborough midfielder on the bench.

Ferguson instead introduced Oscar Wallin, Malik Mothersille, Ryan de Havilland, Abraham Odoh and Gustav Lindgren, as the visitors searched in vain for an equaliser before Ndiaye late strike.

It’s fair to say fans on X, formerly Twitter, were less than impressed with Ferguson’s substitutions, with many baffled by the manager’s failure to play along with the sentimental narrative.

‘Not bringing on Tyler Young to play against his dad (Ashley Young), is pretty poor from Darren Ferguson,’ @Footy_Tipster said.

‘Darren Ferguson needs sacking… imagine not playing Young against his dad for the last 15 mins of the game,’ wrote @Unitedfc484995.

‘Darren Ferguson not bringing on Ashley Young's son, disgraceful behaviour,’ @DanWrexham tweeted.

‘Darren Ferguson needs to get over himself. Get Young on. Make history. You've been in Everton's half once in the last 10,’ said @RwLang711

All that press over the father/son game between Ashley and Tyler Young and Darren Ferguson doesn't play Tyler. That's incredibly petty,’ @MitchHalley wrote.

‘Darren Ferguson is bad vibes for not putting on Tyler Young and making a bit of history,’ @mync_____ tweeted.

‘Very poor from Darren Ferguson not to bring on Tyler Young to play against Ashley Young,’ said @emcbraham91.

More to follow.