Big Dunc Breaks His Silence: Ferguson’s Fiery Critique of Moyes’ Youth Gamble Gone Wrong

Big Dunc Breaks His Silence: Ferguson’s Fiery Critique of Moyes’ Youth Gamble Gone Wrong

In the wake of Everton’s frustrating 1-1 draw against Sunderland on November 3, 2025, at the Stadium of Light, club legend Duncan Ferguson has unleashed a blistering public rebuke of manager David Moyes—marking the first time the towering Scot has openly criticized his former boss since their acrimonious parting in 2006. The match, a gritty affair where Iliman Ndiaye’s stunning solo strike was cancelled out by an early Second-half Sunderland equaliser, exposed familiar cracks in Moyes’ tactical setup. But for Ferguson, the real scandal wasn’t the dropped points; it was Moyes’ baffling reluctance to trust the club’s promising young talents, a decision that left Goodison faithful seething and the 6ft 4in icon demanding immediate change.

Ferguson, now 50 and a revered figure in Everton lore for his thunderous headers and unyielding loyalty during the turbulent 1990s, didn’t mince words in an exclusive interview with Everton TV. “On Moyes yet again,” he growled, his gravelly Glaswegian accent cutting through the post-match haze. “Needs to sort it ASAP or the fans would start coming for him. How Rohl and Dibling don’t get any minutes there is ridiculous! Doesn’t give these young players much of a chance. 10 mins for Charly, ridiculous.” The outburst, delivered with the same raw passion that once saw him headbutt opponents into oblivion, has ignited a firestorm among supporters, who have long accused Moyes of favouring grizzled veterans over fresh blood.

The Sunderland stalemate encapsulated the frustration. Everton, mired in mid-table mediocrity after a 3-0 home thumping by Tottenham just days prior, dominated early with Ndiaye’s brilliance putting them ahead after 15 minutes. Thierno Barry spurned a golden chance to double the lead, but the real turning point came in the second half. With the game hanging in the balance, Moyes opted for cautious tweaks: Carlos Alcaraz, the energetic Argentine loanee whose half-time heroics turned the tide against Crystal Palace last month, was tossed on for a measly 10 minutes. Merlin Rohl, the towering £15m deadline-day signing from Freiburg, got a fleeting cameo that barely registered. And Tyler Dibling, the £35m teenage sensation poached from Southampton amid £100m Man United whispers, warmed the bench entirely—his total Premier League minutes this season now a paltry 50, including a disastrous half-time hook against Palace.

Ferguson, who knows a thing or two about Moyes’ iron-fisted regime from their shared history, sees echoes of the past. Back in 2003, a training-ground bust-up nearly ended his Toffees tenure, with Moyes freezing him out amid a relegation scrap. Yet Big Dunc reconciled with his mentor years later, even crediting him for moulding Everton into European contenders. This time, though, the gloves are off. “David’s a winner, built us into what we were,” Ferguson conceded, “but this ain’t 2005. We’ve got kids bursting with fire—Rohl’s a beast in the middle, Dibling’s got that Gazza spark, Charly’s chaos on steroids. Burying them on the bench? It’s killing the soul of the club. Fans are patient, but not daft. Sort it, or ship out.”

Moyes, facing his former charges at Sunderland—where he infamously presided over their 2017 relegation—brushed off the barbs post-match, insisting his “experienced spine” was key to the point salvaged. But the stats don’t lie: Everton’s xG of 1.8 squandered against Sunderland’s miserly defence, coupled with zero shots on target after the hour mark, screamed for injection. Rohl’s physicality could have blunted the Black Cats’ counters; Dibling’s dribbling flair might have unlocked their backline; Alcaraz’s 15 goals in 30 starts last season at Southampton begged for more than scraps.This isn’t just Ferguson venting—it’s a rallying cry. Everton sit 14th, six points adrift of Europe. The fanbase, scarred by years of Moshiri-era chaos under new owners The Friedkin Group, craves identity. Youth integration isn’t a luxury; it’s survival. As Ferguson thundered, “We built Goodison on blood and guts, not benchwarmers. Give the lads a shot, David—or the Gwladys Street will turn.”

Moyes has until Saturday’s Fulham clash to heed the warning. History shows he can adapt: his 2004-05 masterclass dragged Everton to eighth amid financial peril. But ignore Big Dunc at your peril. In a league where Arsenal and City thrive on prodigies, Everton’s old lion has roared for a new pride. Will Moyes listen, or risk the fans’ claws?