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The Everton midfielder received a warm ovation from his Everton teammates after issuing an explanation for his extraordinary dismissal during the recent triumph at Manchester United.

Unprecedented Incident in English Football

Gueye earned the distinction of being the initial Premier League player to be dismissed for hitting a teammate in nearly two decades when he struck his defensive colleague during the match. Everton's display was heroic as they played with a man down for the majority of the game, including added time, to secure David Moyes' initial victory at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in multiple tries.

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

Team Reaction

The Senegalese international was unable to secure an opportunity to speak with Moyes or his colleagues at the interval. Afterwards, with the visitors' locker room buzzing after the narrow victory, the veteran requested to address the whole team and Keane specifically.

• Gueye apologized to Keane for striking him across the head
• The heated 13th-minute altercation occurred after a poor distribution in his own defensive third
• He also said sorry to the squad for leaving them with a difficult challenge
• Gueye's words were positively accepted by the squad

Potential Consequences

The 36-year-old may yet be punished by Everton despite the manager's statement that he appreciates his team members competing with each other. The Scot has a regular punishment process for red and yellow cards, including financial penalties, which is likely to be applied in this situation.

Suspension and National Team Duty

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

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

Opposition Perspective

At the same time, the Manchester United defender claimed United of showing no immediacy in Monday's defeat, which ended their winning streak at five games.

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

The Red Devils head to Selhurst Park for the weekend noon kickoff. 'The next game is really important now,' said De Ligt. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'