Darren Ferguson has come under heavy criticism after leaving Tyler Young, son of Ashley Young, on the bench during Peterborough’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Everton.
Fans had eagerly anticipated a historic father-son clash in the third-round tie at Goodison Park, but Ferguson’s decision prevented the moment from happening.
In the buildup to the match, much of the buzz revolved around the possibility of Ashley, 36, facing his 18-year-old son on the pitch.
However, just hours before kickoff, attention shifted as Everton announced the dismissal of manager Sean Dyche, with Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman stepping in as interim managers.
On the field, Peterborough’s chances of an upset were dashed when Beto scored in the 42nd minute, and Iliman Ndiaye added a second goal in stoppage time to seal Everton’s victory.
Despite being brought on as a substitute, Ashley Young never had the chance to face his son, as Ferguson opted to keep Tyler on the bench.
Instead, the Peterborough manager introduced players like Oscar Wallin and Malik Mothersille as the team struggled to find a way back into the game.
The historic father-son duel in the FA Cup remained unfulfilled, and fans were quick to express their frustration online.
Social media erupted with criticism of Ferguson’s substitutions. One user wrote, “Not bringing on Tyler Young to play against his dad is pretty poor from Darren Ferguson.” Another added, “All that hype for the father-son match, and Ferguson doesn’t play Tyler. That’s just petty.”
Many accused Ferguson of ignoring the sentimental significance of the moment, calling his decision “bad vibes” and a “missed opportunity for history.” Despite the outcry, Ferguson defended his choices, prioritizing tactics over the storyline.
But for fans, the chance to witness history was gone, leaving disappointment in its wake.