Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson has stood his ground on denying Ashley Young a father-son moment on the pitch after ignoring Tyler Young on the bench during their 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Everton on Thursday, Afrosport reports.
A possible iconic clash of the Young family on the pitch has been a key build-up to the game as it was also going to create history as the first time a father and son played against each other.
Ashley Young was called up from the bench to replace Nathan Patterson in the 73rd minute; however, Tyler remained an unused substitute as Ferguson made his fifth and final substitution in the 88th minute with the side 1-0 down.
“It was very difficult to leave Tyler on the bench but I’ve got to do what I think is best for the team,” Ferguson said per BBC Sport.
“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.”
Tyler only has one appearance for Peterborough this season and is yet to be used in their past 14 games.
Former Manchester United player Ashley disappointedly wrote on his Instagram handle: “Even though we didn’t make history by getting on the pitch together, we made memories of a lifetime son.
“Your text last night ‘Happy to be on the same pitch as you’, yes this made me [cry emoji].
“You don’t understand how immensely proud I am of you.”
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Peterborough are currently 19th in League One and will face Walsall in the third round of the EFL Trophy next Tuesday.
