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The Everton midfielder received a round of applause from his Everton teammates after issuing an apology for his shocking dismissal during Monday's victory at Old Trafford.

Rare Situation in English Football

The midfielder earned the distinction of being the first Premier League player to be sent off for hitting a teammate in nearly two decades when he struck his defensive colleague during the match. The Toffees' display was heroic as they competed with 10 men for the majority of the game, including added time, to secure David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a away coach in 18 attempts.

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

Team Reaction

Gueye was unable to secure an opportunity to speak with Moyes or his teammates at half-time. Afterwards, with the away dressing room celebrating after the narrow victory, the 36-year-old asked to speak to the entire group and Keane specifically.

• Gueye apologized to the defender for slapping him across the head
• The intense early confrontation occurred after a misplaced pass in his own defensive third
• He also said sorry to the squad for leaving them with a monumental task
• Gueye's words were positively accepted by the players

Potential Ramifications

Gueye may yet be punished by the club despite the manager's admission that he appreciates his team members competing with each other. Moyes has a standard disciplinary procedure for red and yellow cards, including fines, which is likely to be applied in Gueye's case.

Ban and National Team Commitments

Everton could be without their key midfielder until the new year. Gueye will serve a three-match suspension against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but could be selected for Africa Cup of Nations duty by Senegal before he can return to play against Chelsea on mid-December.

'Emotions can run high,' he added. 'However, there's no excuse for such conduct.'

Rival Reaction

Meanwhile, Mathijs de Ligt claimed his team of showing no immediacy in the recent defeat, which halted their winning streak at five games.

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

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