Darren Ferguson denied Ashley Young and his teenage son Tyler the chance to make FA Cup history on Thursday evening.
Ashley, 39, and Tyler, 18, looked set to become the first father and son to play against each other in the 154-year history of the FA Cup as 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 drew 2- 0 won thanks to goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye.
Ashley and Tyler were seen chatting after the final whistle, but there was clear disappointment from the pair, with the former posting the one-word message ‘GUTTED’ on Friday morning.
Ferguson defended his actions by pointing out that Peterborough could not be seen as a ‘charity case’.
Was Ferguson right or wrong? Six Mailsport journalists give their verdict…
Darren Ferguson chose not to let Tyler Young play against his father Ashley
Ashley Young (left) admitted he was ‘gutted’ at being denied the chance to share the pitch with his son (right) and make FA Cup history
Sir Alex’s son Darren defended himself by saying Peterborough is not a ‘charity case’ but he has been criticized by some fans
Matt Barlow
It seemed strangely petty considering how quickly and easily all modern managers will rest and rotate players for cup games because there are always other priorities.
Redirecting Tyler for a minute or two would have created something unique. It would have been a heart-warming and indelible memory, not just for the Young family, but for everyone present at Goodison Park.
It would have been one of the FA Cup stories of the season and something that Peterborough and Everton fans could cherish as an antidote to the money-obsessed world of modern football.
Nathan Salt
The criticism of Darren Ferguson is absolutely ridiculous.
When he made his final substitution in the 88th minute, his team were 1-0 down against a poor Everton side in Peterborough.
In came Malik Mothersille, who is a forward with eight goals this season, rather than a teenager with 27 minutes of senior football this season. A complete no-brainer.
Nathan Salt believes Ferguson did nothing wrong as his team was still in the match when he made his final substitution
Kieran Gill
Have a heart, Darren. You had five replacements, and you could easily have used one to avoid making yourself look like the Tin Man of Peterborough.
In ten, twenty, thirty years I would be surprised if many remember much about this FA Cup match. It may be forgotten by the time we arrive on Sunday.
While Tyler was robbed of a moment he would have cherished for life. But at least Fergie’s son has let us all know that he’s not a “charity case.”
Tom Collomosse
If Peterborough had been three goals behind, I would have expected Ferguson to send Young through.
But with the game on the line, the Peterborough boss had to make choices based on that alone. Ask yourself: what would his father have done?
Joe Bernstein
Darren Ferguson botched the Ashley and Tyler Young saga through indecision.
Tyler is not a fancy first team player and Fergie should have killed the story by saying he wouldn’t play for Everton.
Putting him on the couch and not using him was a headache; unfair to the family and all FA Cup romantics.
Joe Bernstein believes Ferguson made a mistake by benching Tyler (pictured) and raising the possibility he could play
Craig Hope
Okay, I understand that Ferguson has to do what he thinks is best for his team, even if his “we’re not a charity” comment felt disrespectful to his own player. But I think Ferguson missed a trick.
What is the FA Cup if it’s not about fairytales and romance? His team needed a goal. What would have been the perfect way to score that? Tyler Young!
Put it on, let the magic flow, give him that moment with his father. Ferguson is not coming out of this well.
Ian Dameman
It’s a non-debate. This was a football game, not a family gathering. Ferguson did what was right for his team, exactly as he should have done.
I’m sure Young Snr and Jnr got to say hello in the players bar afterwards. One who drinks soda, of course.
Ian Ladyman thinks Ferguson just did what was right for his team to try and win the game
James Sharpe
We all like to talk about the romance of the FA Cup. We also like to keep the faith, so we all wanted to see Tyler Young play against his father Ashley.
It would have been a wonderful moment, not just for the Young family, but for the whole of English football, in its length and breadth, and a picture of how deeply this game has endured for generations.
However, this was not a charity match. This wasn’t some end-of-season dead rubber with nothing riding on it. This was an important FA Cup match.
Peterborough were only one goal behind. They were still in there. Darren Ferguson tried to force a replay, whose finances could make a big contribution to clubs further down the pyramid.
If the match had been out of doubt, he would have brought in Tyler. However, this was not a charity match. It wasn’t dead rubber at the end of the season with nothing riding on it. This was an important FA Cup match. It’s not football aid.