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Idrissa Gueye was given a warm ovation from his Everton teammates after issuing an explanation for his shocking red card during Monday's triumph at Manchester United.

Rare Incident in Premier League

Gueye became the initial Premier League player to be dismissed for striking a teammate in nearly two decades when he struck Michael Keane during the fixture. The Toffees' display was heroic as they competed with 10 men for 85 minutes, including added time, to secure David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in multiple tries.

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

Team Response

The Senegalese international did not get an chance to speak with Moyes or his teammates at the interval. Following the match, with the visitors' locker room buzzing after the narrow victory, the veteran asked to speak to the whole team and Keane in particular.

• He expressed regret to Keane for slapping him across the head
• The heated 13th-minute confrontation occurred after a poor distribution in his own penalty area
• Additionally he apologized to the squad for leaving them with a difficult challenge
• His apology were positively accepted by the players

Potential Ramifications

Gueye could still be punished by Everton despite Moyes' 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 expected to be implemented in Gueye's case.

Suspension and International Duty

The Merseyside club may find themselves without their influential midfielder until the January. The Senegalese international will serve a three-match ban against Newcastle United, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but could be called up for AFCON duty by his national team before he can return to play against Chelsea on 13 December.

'Emotions can run high,' Gueye continued. 'However, there's no excuse for such conduct.'

Opposition Perspective

Meanwhile, Mathijs de Ligt accused his team of lacking immediacy in Monday's loss, which ended their unbeaten run at five games.

• 'English football doesn't tolerate weakness,' stated the Netherlands international
• 'We lacked that urgency to score goals,'
• 'When facing sides like Everton,' who drop back it becomes challenging

The Red Devils travel to Crystal Palace for the weekend lunchtime start. 'The next game is really important now,' said De Ligt. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'