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Idrissa Gueye was given a round of applause from his fellow squad members after issuing an explanation for his shocking red card during the recent victory at Old Trafford.

Unprecedented Incident in Premier League

The midfielder became the first Premier League player to be sent off for hitting a teammate in 17 years when he slapped his defensive colleague during the match. Everton's performance was heroic as they competed with a man down for 85 minutes, including added time, to secure David Moyes' initial victory at Old Trafford as a away coach in multiple tries.

'I want to apologise first to Michael Keane,' he wrote on his accounts. 'I accept complete responsibility for my actions.'

Team Reaction

Gueye was unable to secure an opportunity to speak with the manager or his colleagues at half-time. Following the match, with the visitors' locker room celebrating after the 1-0 win, the 36-year-old asked to speak to the whole team and the defender in particular.

• He expressed regret to Keane for striking him across the face
• The intense 13th-minute altercation occurred after a poor distribution in his own penalty area
• He also apologized to the squad for leaving them with a monumental task
• His apology were positively accepted by the players

Potential Consequences

Gueye could still be disciplined by Everton despite the manager's statement that he appreciates his team members competing with each other. The Scot has a standard punishment process for red and yellow cards, including financial penalties, which is likely to be implemented in this situation.

Ban and National Team Commitments

Everton may find themselves without their influential midfielder until the new year. Gueye will serve a three-game suspension against Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Forest but might be called up for Africa Cup of Nations duty by Senegal before he can return to play against Chelsea on 13 December.

'Emotions can run high,' Gueye continued. 'But nothing justifies such behaviour.'

Rival Perspective

At the same time, Mathijs de Ligt claimed United of showing no immediacy in the recent defeat, which ended their unbeaten run at multiple matches.

• 'The Premier League is not for the weak,' stated the Netherlands international
• 'We lacked that urgency to score goals,'
• 'Against a team like Everton,' that defend deep it's difficult

United travel to Selhurst Park for the weekend lunchtime start. 'The next game is really important now,' commented De Ligt. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'