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Idrissa Gueye was given a round of applause from his fellow squad members after issuing an apology for his extraordinary red card during Monday's triumph at Old Trafford.

Unprecedented Situation in English Football

Gueye earned the distinction of being the first Premier League player to be dismissed for striking a fellow player in 17 years when he struck Michael Keane during the fixture. Everton's performance was heroic as they competed with a man down for 85 minutes, including stoppage time, to secure David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a away coach in multiple tries.

'I want to apologise first to Michael Keane,' he wrote on social media. 'I take full responsibility for my reaction.'

Team Reaction

The Senegalese international was unable to secure an opportunity to speak with the manager or his colleagues at the interval. Following the match, with the visitors' locker room celebrating after the 1-0 win, the veteran requested to speak to the whole team and the defender specifically.

• He expressed regret to the defender for striking him across the head
• The intense early altercation occurred after a poor distribution in his own penalty area
• Additionally he apologized to the team for leaving them with a monumental task
• Gueye's words were positively accepted by the players

Potential Ramifications

The 36-year-old may yet be punished by Everton despite the manager's statement that he likes 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 implemented in Gueye's case.

Suspension and National Team Commitments

Everton may find themselves without their key player until the January. Gueye will serve a three-match ban against Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Forest but might be called up for Africa Cup of Nations duty by his national team before he becomes eligible to play against Chelsea on 13 December.

'Emotions can run high,' he added. 'But nothing justifies such behaviour.'

Rival Reaction

At the same time, the Manchester United defender accused his team of lacking urgency in Monday's loss, 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,' that defend deep it becomes challenging

United head to Selhurst Park for the weekend lunchtime start. 'The next game is really important now,' said De Ligt. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'