Sir Alex Ferguson's son slammed after denying Ashley Young's son chance to make history
Ashley Young, 39, did not get to play against his 18-year-old son Tyler in Everton's FA Cup tie against Peterborough after the teenager was not brought off the bench by manager Darren Ferguson
by Matthew Cooper · The MirrorFootball fans have slammed Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson after he missed an opportunity to make history in his side's FA Cup clash against Everton.
Ashley Young and his son Tyler had a chance to become the first father and son to play against each other in a competitive match, but Tyler did not make it off the bench as Ferguson instead introduced Oscar Wallin, Malik Mothersille, Ryan de Havilland, Abraham Odoh and Gustav Lindgren.
Ashley, 39, came on in the second half of the Toffees' 2-0 win, but 18-year-old Tyler remained on the sidelines. And Ferguson, who is the son of legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, has been criticised by fans for not bringing on Tyler.
"Game was completely done, great moment to make history such a shame," wrote one. Another said: "I know there is little or no room for sentiment in Elite Sport but can’t help thinking this was a poor decision. You have an opportunity to create something like this, you surely have to take it."
"Bit muggy that! That’s meant to be the magic of the FA Cup! Spoiled a special moment to only be knocked out anyway," wrote a third. A fourth added: "No fairytale what’s the harm with even 2 mins."
Speaking ahead of the game, Ferguson had said he would "have to find a way of getting Tyler involved" and he revealed after the match that an Everton player "had a bit of a pop" at him about it.
"[It was] very, very difficult but I've got to do what I think is best for the team, as much as I wanted Tyler to get on," Ferguson said. "If the game had been 2-0 at that point then I would have put him on but it's 1-0.
"I've got to get a forward on, I've got to try and get something out of the game, I've got to do what's best for the team and we're not a charity case. As much as I wanted Tyler to get on with his dad… one of their players had a bit of a pop at me which is bang out of order.
"I've got to do what's best for the team and at that point, it's 1-0, I'm trying to get a result."
When pressed on the incident with the Everton player, he added: "Listen, it was small things but nah, not for me, that. I've got to do what's best for the team."
Beto gave Everton a first-half lead, before Iliman Ndiaye scored a penalty in injury time to wrap up a 2-0 victory for the hosts and book their place in the fourth round.
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