The magic of Christmas almost happened – belatedly – this Thursday evening on the English lawns. A former international and his son thought they were facing each other in an official match. But Duncan Ferguson decided otherwise.
Despite general insistence, the coach of Peterborough, a League One club (3rd division), did not bring in Tyler Young at the end of the FA Cup match against Everton (Premier League). His team then lost 1-0. There is therefore no question for him of sending a young 18-year-old midfielder, still a novice at this level.
And this even if opposite the paternal Ashley Young, 39 years old and entered in the 73rd minute, dreamed of it. The Three Lions international (39 caps, 7 goals) declared before the game that “playing” against his child would represent “the pinnacle of my career”.
“We are not a charity business”
Peterborough ultimately lost two goals to zero. Duncan Ferguson, son of Sir Alex Ferguson, iconic Manchester United coach, has no regrets. He accepts his sporting choices, despite the criticism heard at the stadium… and on the pitch.
“One of their players (on the Everton side Editor’s note) made a remark to me that was totally inappropriate. We are not a charity business, he lamented. It was very difficult to leave Tyler on the bench, but I have to do what I think is best for the team. Even though I wanted Tyler to come on, if the game had been 2-0 at that point I would have brought him on, but at 1-0 I had to bring on a striker. I have to try to take something from this match and do what is best for my team. »
Tyler Young had only made one appearance in the League Cup this season. He was even absent during the last 14 championship matches.
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