Everton will now be facing the reality of having to play without Idrissa Gana Gueye on the back of Monday night’s stunning win.
Not many would have tipped Everton to go to Old Trafford and take all three points, never mind doing so with only 10 men on the pitch.
That’s exactly what David Moyes’ side did, but the result did come at a price with an injury suffered to Seamus Coleman and Gueye shown a straight red card.
Speaking to Everton News, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg admitted he agreed with Gueye’s sending off at Old Trafford.
The midfielder could now miss a considerable number of games for the Toffees as he is set to depart in the coming weeks for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Gueye shared an apology to the Everton fans over social media, but how Michael Keane actually reacted to his private speech has now been shared.
Manchester United v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Michael Keane’s reaction to Idrissa Gana Gueye’s Everton apology revealed
Moyes waxed lyrical about Keane on the back of the victory against United on Monday evening.
However, the 32-year-old defender found himself at the centre of the storm after he was struck by his teammate within the opening 13 minutes.
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According to the Daily Mail, Keane already views the incident as a thing of the past following their talk in the dressing room.
Should Gueye have been sent off?
It is believed the pair were actually kept apart from each other at half time, with tempers still soaring from what unfolded.
But Gueye’s speech in front of the entire dressing room is thought to have drawn a line in the sand as the Blues look to keep their good form going this weekend.
The defender is proving a lot of pundits wrong, with Simon Jordan admitting he is not impressed by Keane and never has been.
Clearly, the former Crystal Palace owner has not watched a lot of Everton this season as Keane has been rock solid at the back with James Tarkowski.
Everton need team morale to be higher than ever
Moyes wants Everton to push for European qualification this season, and that is going to be tested over the coming weeks.
Everton have a daunting run of games ahead of them leading up to the New Year, which they are now going to be without Gueye and eventually Iliman Ndiaye.
Idrissa Gana Gueye’s sending off is only the third time a player has been red carded for striking his own teammate. The most infamous incident was Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer both being sent off for Newcastle vs Aston Villa in 2005, whilst Stoke City’s Ricardo Fuller had a similar fate for acting out against Andy Griffin in 2008.
Manchester United v Everton - Premier League
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Pair that along with more injury issues to the likes of Merlin Rohl and Jarrad Branthwaite and this leaves Everton with a mountainous task ahead of them.
Monday night will hopefully have only strengthened the morale inside Finch Farm leading up to Saturday’s game against Newcastle United.
Everton could do something special this season, but the January window may be key through the addition of some extra pieces to the squad.
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