Toffees Squad Members Applaud Gueye After Sincere Apology for Keane Incident
Idrissa Gueye received a round of applause from his fellow squad members after issuing an apology for his shocking dismissal during the recent victory at Old Trafford.
Rare Incident in Premier League
The midfielder earned the distinction of being the initial Premier League player to be sent off for striking a fellow player in nearly two decades when he struck his defensive colleague during the match. Everton's display was heroic as they competed with a man down for 85 minutes, including stoppage time, to achieve David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a away coach in 18 attempts.
'My first apology goes to Michael Keane,' he wrote on social media. 'I accept complete responsibility for my actions.'
Team Reaction
The Senegalese international did not get an opportunity to speak with the manager or his teammates at half-time. Following the match, with the visitors' locker room buzzing after the 1-0 win, the 36-year-old asked to address the whole team and the defender in particular.
- Gueye apologized to the defender for striking him across the face
- The heated early altercation occurred after a misplaced pass in his own defensive third
- Additionally he said sorry to the team for leaving them with a monumental task
- His apology were positively accepted by the squad
Possible Consequences
Gueye may yet be punished by the club despite the manager's statement that he appreciates his team members fighting with each other. The Scot has a standard punishment process for dismissals and cautions, including fines, which is likely to be applied in Gueye's case.
Ban and National Team Commitments
Everton could be without their influential player until the January. Gueye will serve a three-game ban against Newcastle United, AFC Bournemouth and Forest but might be selected for Africa Cup of Nations responsibilities by Senegal before he becomes eligible to play against the Blues on mid-December.
'Passions can sometimes overflow,' Gueye continued. 'But nothing justifies such behaviour.'
Opposition Perspective
At the same time, the Manchester United defender accused United of lacking immediacy in the recent defeat, which ended their unbeaten run at multiple matches.
- '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's difficult
United travel to Selhurst Park for the weekend noon kickoff. 'Our upcoming match is absolutely crucial,' commented De Ligt. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'