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Idrissa Gueye was given a warm ovation from his Everton teammates after delivering an apology for his extraordinary red card during Monday's victory at Manchester United.

Unprecedented Situation in English Football

Gueye earned the distinction of being the initial Premier League player to be sent off for hitting a teammate in nearly two decades when he slapped his defensive colleague during the fixture. Everton's display was heroic as they played with 10 men for the majority of the game, including added time, to secure David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in multiple tries.

'My first apology goes to Michael Keane,' Gueye stated on his accounts. 'I accept complete responsibility for my actions.'

Team Response

Gueye did not get an chance to converse with the manager or his teammates at half-time. Following the match, with the visitors' locker room celebrating after the narrow victory, the veteran asked to address the entire group and the defender in particular.

• Gueye apologized to the defender for slapping him across the face
• The heated 13th-minute confrontation occurred after a poor distribution in his own penalty area
• Additionally he apologized to the team for leaving them with a difficult challenge
• Gueye's words were positively accepted by the players

Possible Ramifications

Gueye could still be disciplined by the club despite Moyes' admission that he likes his team members competing with each other. Moyes has a standard disciplinary procedure for dismissals and cautions, including fines, which is likely to be implemented in this situation.

Ban and International Duty

Everton may find themselves without their influential player until the January. Gueye will complete a three-game suspension against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Forest but could be selected for AFCON duty by his national team before he becomes eligible to play against the Blues on mid-December.

'Passions can sometimes overflow,' he added. 'However, there's no excuse for such conduct.'

Opposition Perspective

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

• 'The Premier League is not for the weak,' said the Netherlands international
• 'We were missing the necessary intensity to find the net'
• 'When facing sides like Everton,' who drop back it's difficult

United head to Selhurst Park for the weekend noon kickoff. 'Our upcoming match is absolutely crucial,' said the defender. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'