Peterborough chairman hits out at ‘moronic’ followers attacking Sir Alex Ferguson’s nepo child son Darren and backs him as ‘100% appropriate’ to disclaim Everton star Ashley Young’s dream by refusing to let his son play in opposition to him
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Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has hit out at the ‘moronic’ reaction to Darren Ferguson’s refusal bring youngster Tyler Young on against Everton.
The 19-year-old and his dad Ashley Young, 39, had the chance to make some history in the FA Cup on Thursday night at Goodison Park. But the midfielder took no part in the action as the Toffees clinched a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye.
The Posh’s boss Ferguson, son of legendary Manchester United manager, Sir Alex, has faced intense criticism for his denial of this rarest of feats. Indeed, no father and son have ever played against each other in 154 years of English’s football oldest competition.
Ashley, who played the final 17 minutes of the clash, posted the one-word message ‘GUTTED’ on X on Friday morning after previously saying it was his ‘dream’ to share the pitch with his son, and fans expressed sympathy with the former United star, with some arguing that Darren has only succeeded in the game due to his own famous dad.
But chairman MacAnthony has fired back at the detractors in a scathing reply to one of many posts on X which called for Ferguson to be dismissed.
‘This nonsense has to stop,’ he wrote. ‘My manger was 100 per cent correct in his actions. This wasn’t some friendly or exhibition event.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has fired back at supporters attacking his manager Darren Ferguson
The Posh’s boss – pictured (right), with his dad Sir Alex Ferguson – did not bring on youngster Tyle Young to face his dad 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 & progressing phenomenally with bright future but bringing him on at that time considering circumstances around game with us one down with minutes left was not right thing for team.
‘Putting stupid tweets out asking for him to be sacked is unintelligent & frankly moronic. In time even Ashley will appreciate this as opposed to his current feeling around it. Cheers.’
MacAnthony’s message came amid a deluge of condemnation for boss, now in his fourth spell with the League One outfit.
After the match, one fan wrote on X: ‘It’s quite ironic how Darren Ferguson literally has a career in football because of his Dad yet denied Ashley Young the chance to share the field with his son Tyler.
‘Darren Ferguson has blood on his hands for not bringing on Tyler Young to play against his Dad Ashley Young tonight,’ another X account added.
‘Not bringing on Tyler Young to play against his dad (Ashley Young), is pretty poor from Darren Ferguson,’ another supporter stated.
Meanwhile, one X user was perplexed by Darren’s decision making as they asked: ‘Why didn’t Darren Ferguson let Ashley Young’s son come on for the last couple of minutes when they went two nil down?’
‘Out of order mate, no harm throwing him on for last 10,’ another fan replied to Ashley.
MacAnthony said that messages calling for Ferguson to be sacked over the decision were ‘unintelligible and frankly moronic’
The two Youngs could be seen smiling as they emerged from the tunnel ahead of kick-off
When the action got underway at Goodison Park, the two substitutes then warmed up on the touchline
Ferguson defended his decision not to introduce Tyler and revealed the angry reaction he had received from one Everton star.
‘It was very difficult to leave Tyler on the bench but I’ve got to do what I think is best for the team,’ said Ferguson.
‘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 players had a pop at me which was bang out of order. We are not a charity case.’
What many irate viewers failed to appreciate is that the teenager has been far from a regular for the third-tier outfit this term. In fact, 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 hadn’t made the matchday squad in Peterborough’s last 14 games before being selected on the bench for the Everton clash.
Ferguson – who did acknowledge Ashley on the pitch at full-time – had teased the prospect of the Youngs coming up against each other at his pre-match press conference, although he had also warned there was a chance that it wouldn’t happen.
Despite the disappointment, Ashley and Tyler still shared a touching moment ahead of kick off as they came together on the Goodison Park pitch for a pre-match chat.
Ferguson said that it was difficult to leave the youngster out in his defence of his call against the Toffees
Tyler Young has mad only one appearance for the League One side and was not named on the substitutes bench for the previous 14 matches
In the heartwarming encounter, both Youngs could be seen smiling as they walked out of the tunnel together, before they stopped for a conversation.
When the action got underway, the two substitutes then warmed up on the touchline.
As they went through their stretches, they passed each other with Tyler seen grinning as he soaked up the occasion.
After the match, the 39-year-old made sure to share another heartwarming embrace with his son.
He was seen saying a few words to Tyler as both Youngs looked slightly gutted at the outcome, before they clapped the fans still left inside Goodison Park and walked off the pitch together.
