Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson has defended his choice to leave Ashley Young’s son Tyler on the bench against Everton.
The Posh were beaten 2-0 at Goodison Park in the FA Cup third round on Thursday night.
Everton scored before halftime through Beto, before Iliman Ndiaye’s stoppage-time penalty sealed the win.
Ahead of the game, much was made of the possibility of a father Vs son matchup.
Veteran Toffees defender Ashley Young’s 18-year-old son Tyler plays for Peterborough, and many hoped the pair would get the chance to play against each other.
No father and son have faced one another in the 154-year history of the competition.
But while Ashley Young came off the Everton bench in the closing stages, Tyler remained in the Peterborough dugout.
After the match, Ashley posted a one-word reaction on social media.
It simply said: “GUTTED….”
Darren Ferguson Explains Leaving Ashley Young’s Son On The Bench
But despite disappointing many people, the Peterborough manager defended his decision.
Darren Ferguson – son of legendary ex-Manchester United boss Sir Alex – explained the needs of the team must come first.
He said: “It was very difficult to leave Tyler on the bench but I’ve got to do what I think is best for the team,
“As much as I wanted Tyler to get on, if the game had been 2-0 at that point I would’ve put him on but at 1-0, I had to get a forward on. I’ve got to try and get something out of the game and do what is best for my team.
“One of their [Everton] players had a pop at me, which was bang out of order. We are not a charity case.”
Teenage midfielder Tyler has been limited to just one substitute appearance for the Posh this season.
He had been left out of Ferguson’s previous 14 match-day squads, but would have been hoping to make history by facing his dad.
But it seems that chance has now gone, unless they two sides are drawn against each other before Young Sr. hangs up his boots.
