Peterborough chairman hits out at ‘moronic’ fans attacking Sir Alex Ferguson’s nepo baby son Darren and backs him as ‘100% correct’ to deny Everton star Ashley Young’s dream by refusing to let his son play against him
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has criticized the ‘idiotic’ response to Darren Ferguson’s refusal to field youngster Tyler Young against Everton.
The 19-year-old and his father Ashley Young, 39, had the chance to make some history in the FA Cup at Goodison Park on Thursday evening. But the midfielder did not take part in the action as the Toffees recorded a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye.
The Posh boss Ferguson, son of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex, has faced intense criticism for his denial of this rarest of achievements. No father and son have ever played against each other in the 154 years that England’s oldest football league has existed.
Ashley, who played the final 17 minutes of the match, posted the one-word message ‘GUTTED’ to with the first. United star, with some claiming Darren only succeeded in the game thanks to his own famous father.
But chairman MacAnthony has fired back at opponents in a scathing response to one of many posts on X calling for Ferguson’s resignation.
“This nonsense has to stop,” he wrote. “My manger was 100 percent correct in his actions. This was not a friendly event or an exhibition event.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has fired back at supporters attacking his manager Darren Ferguson
The Posh boss has left out youngster Tyle Young to face his father Ashley in an FA Cup tie against Everton
The Youngs would have become the first father and son to play against each other in the 154-year history of the FA Cup
‘Tyler is doing fantastic with our 21’s and is making phenomenal progress with a bright future, but bringing him in at that time given the circumstances surrounding the game with us one down with minutes to go was not the right thing for the team .
“Posting stupid tweets calling for his resignation is unintelligent and downright idiotic. In time, even Ashley will appreciate this, as opposed to his current feelings around it. Cheers.’
MacAnthony’s message came amid a barrage of condemnations for the boss, who is now in his fourth spell with the League One team.
After the match, a fan wrote on
“Darren Ferguson has blood on his hands for not bringing in Tyler Young to play his dad Ashley Young tonight,” another X account added.
“Not bringing Tyler Young in to play against his dad (Ashley Young) is pretty bad of Darren Ferguson,” said another supporter.
Meanwhile, an
“Not alright mate, there’s no harm in putting him in the final ten,” another fan replied to Ashley.
MacAnthony said messages calling for Ferguson’s resignation over the decision were “unintelligible and downright idiotic.”
The two Youngs could be seen smiling as they emerged from the tunnel before kick-off
As the action got underway at Goodison Park, the two substitutes warmed up on the touchline
Ferguson defended his decision not to propose to Tyler and revealed the angry response he received from an Everton star.
“It was very difficult to leave Tyler on the bench, but I have to do what I think is best for the team,” said Ferguson.
“As much as I wanted Tyler to go through, if the game had been 2-0 at that point I would have put him on, but at 1-0 I had to make an attack. I have to try to get something out of the game and do what is best for my team.
‘One of their players gave me a blow that was wrong. We are not a charity case.”
What many irate viewers didn’t appreciate is that the teenager has been far from a mainstay for the third-string group this season. Tyler has made just one appearance for the club, playing the final 27 minutes of an EFL Trophy win against Stevenage in October.
Meanwhile, he was not part of the matchday squad in Peterborough’s last fourteen matches before being selected on the bench for the match against Everton.
Ferguson – who did recognize Ashley on the pitch at full-time – had teased the prospect of the Youngs meeting in his pre-match press conference, although he had also warned there was a chance that would not happen.
Despite the disappointment, Ashley and Tyler still shared a touching moment ahead of kick-off as they gathered on the Goodison Park pitch for a pre-match chat.
Ferguson said it was difficult to leave out the youngster in his defense of his call-up against the Toffees
Tyler Young has made just one appearance for League One and has not been on the substitutes’ bench for the past fourteen games
During the heartwarming encounter, both Youngs were seen smiling as they walked out of the tunnel together, before stopping for a chat.
As the action started, the two substitutes warmed up on the sidelines.
As they went through their parts, they passed each other, Tyler grinning as he took in the occasion.
After the match, the 39-year-old made sure to share another heartwarming hug with his son.
He was seen saying a few words to Tyler as both Youngs looked somewhat upset at the outcome, before clapping the fans remaining at Goodison Park and leaving the pitch together.