Idrissa Gueye was shown a straight red card in the 13th minute at Old Trafford after slapping his own teammate Michael Keane in the face during Everton's match against Manchester United
Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane of Everton
Idrissa Gueye was sent off during Everton's clash with Manchester United
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Jamie Carragher has suggested referee Tony Harrington could have handled the situation differently over Everton star Idrissa Gueye's red card against Manchester United. The Blues midfielder was dismissed for slapping his own team-mate during the Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
Gueye received his marching orders just 13 minutes into the Old Trafford clash following an altercation with Michael Keane. The Senegal international appeared frustrated with the centre-back after a breakdown in communication resulted in the midfielder losing possession inside his own half.
Following a heated exchange, the pair squared up to each other inside the penalty area before Gueye lifted his right arm and appeared to strike Keane on the side of his face. Once Gueye made contact with Keane's face, Harrington showed no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card, reports the Mirror.
Offering his assessment of the incident, Carragher told Sky Sports: "I just think sometimes can the referee manage a situation a little bit? The actual ruling, as you've said, a little bit like when we talk about tackles, excessive force, we're talking about a slap here.
"Could you just get the two of them together and say 'eh, behave yourselves'. Sort of manage the situation rather than say 'that's the rule book, I am just going off exactly that. When you actually look at the rules it actually gives the referee a bit of an out."
Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez expressed his surprise at the incident, stating: "No I was very surprised because you need to be intense. You need to be intense. The reaction here, you've got a lot of bodies in the box.
"Obviously it's a bit of a misunderstanding [Gueye trying to play the ball to Keane and they blame each other]. Clearly it's a misunderstanding, Gueye is trying to play the ball but it's that reaction here, that slap, open hand.
"We've been talking about it many times. I think the referee has no other choice. When you see it there, the law tells you any aggression above the neck is a red card."
Gary Neville, speaking shortly after Gueye was sent off, said while on commentary for Sky Sports: "It's a coming together between him and Michael Keane. It always looks unsavoury when it's teammate on teammate.
"Idrissa Gueye has gone over to Keane - he hasn't really reacted. He just pushes him, and then there's not much in it. There's not much in it. I mean, I think Jordan Pickford does a very good job [breaking it up] to be fair to him."