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Idrissa Gueye received a round of applause from his fellow squad members after delivering an explanation for his extraordinary dismissal during the recent victory at Manchester United.

Rare Situation in English Football

Gueye earned the distinction of being the first Premier League player to be dismissed for hitting a teammate in 17 years when he struck Michael Keane during the fixture. The Toffees' display was heroic as they competed with a man down for 85 minutes, including stoppage time, to achieve David Moyes' initial victory at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in multiple tries.

'My first apology goes to Michael Keane,' he wrote on social media. 'I take full responsibility for my reaction.'

Dressing Room Response

The Senegalese international did not get an opportunity to converse with Moyes or his colleagues at half-time. Afterwards, with the away dressing room celebrating after the narrow victory, the veteran requested to address the entire group and the defender specifically.

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

Possible Consequences

The 36-year-old could still be disciplined by the club despite the manager's admission that he likes his players competing with each other. The Scot has a standard disciplinary procedure for dismissals and cautions, including fines, which is expected to be implemented in this situation.

Suspension and International Commitments

Everton may find themselves without their influential player until the new year. Gueye will serve a three-match ban against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but could be selected for AFCON responsibilities by Senegal before he can return to play against the Blues on 13 December.

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

Rival Perspective

At the same time, the Manchester United defender 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 Dutch defender
• 'We lacked that urgency to score goals,'
• 'Against a team like Everton,' who drop back it's difficult

United travel to Crystal Palace for Sunday's lunchtime start. 'The next game is really important now,' said the defender. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'