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The Everton midfielder received a round of applause from his fellow squad members after issuing an explanation for his shocking red card during Monday's victory at Old Trafford.

Rare Situation in Premier League

The midfielder earned the distinction of being the first Premier League player to be dismissed for hitting a teammate in 17 years when he slapped his defensive colleague during the fixture. The Toffees' display was remarkable as they competed with 10 men for the majority of the game, including stoppage time, to achieve David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a away coach in multiple tries.

'My first apology goes to Michael Keane,' he wrote on social media. 'I accept complete responsibility for my actions.'

Team Response

The Senegalese international did not get an opportunity to speak with Moyes or his colleagues at half-time. Following the match, with the away dressing room buzzing after the 1-0 win, the 36-year-old requested to speak to the whole team and the defender specifically.

• Gueye apologized to the defender for striking him across the head
• The heated 13th-minute altercation occurred after a misplaced pass in his own penalty area
• He also said sorry to the team for leaving them with a monumental task
• Gueye's words were positively accepted by the squad

Potential Ramifications

The 36-year-old could still be punished by Everton despite Moyes' admission that he appreciates his team members competing with each other. The Scot has a regular punishment process for dismissals and cautions, including financial penalties, which is expected to be applied in Gueye's case.

Ban and International Commitments

Everton may find themselves without their influential midfielder until the new year. The Senegalese international will serve a three-match suspension against Newcastle United, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but might be selected for AFCON duty by Senegal before he becomes eligible to play against Chelsea on mid-December.

'Passions can sometimes overflow,' Gueye continued. 'However, there's no excuse for such conduct.'

Rival Reaction

At the same time, Mathijs de Ligt accused United of showing no urgency in the recent loss, which ended their unbeaten run at multiple matches.

• 'English football doesn't tolerate weakness,' stated the Dutch defender
• 'We were missing the necessary intensity to find the net'
• 'Against a team like Everton,' who drop back it's difficult

The Red Devils head to Crystal Palace for Sunday's noon kickoff. 'Our upcoming match is absolutely crucial,' said De Ligt. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'