Inside Everton's dressing room: Feuding team-mates Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane were kept APART at half-time after shocking slap - but here's why Toffees stars ended the night applauding midfielder

Michael Keane and Everton team-mates have accepted the apology of Idrissa Gana Gueye after the midfielder’s extraordinary red card for a slap on Monday night.

The veteran star, 36, was sent off in a famous 1-0 win at Manchester United for raising his palm to the face of team-mate Keane, with the two arguing over a misplaced pass that nearly led to a goal for the home side.

Keane and Gueye were kept apart at half-time with tensions still high. But when given the chance at full-time, the midfielder addressed the whole room and apologised for his indiscretion, with a direct word for Keane.

The squad responded well and applauded Gueye for owning up to his mistake and apologising.

It is understood Keane sees it as a thing of the past now and has moved on from the incident. Things may have been different had Gueye’s red card cost Everton the game.

David Moyes came out after the game and said that he quite liked team-mates having a row as it shows they are passionate, though the boss still retains a right to punish Gueye. There are set punishments in place anyway for red and yellow cards, as is common practice at most clubs.

Idrissa Gueye was sent off for Everton on Monday after slapping team-mate Michael Keane

The Everton stars were kept apart at half-time with tensions still running high between the pair

Gueye addressed the Everton squad after their 1-0 win and was applauded for owning up to the mistake, while Keane is understood to view the incident as a thing of the past

Gueye, who will serve a three-match ban, issued an apology on social media after the match

Everton could now be without Gueye, an influential member of the dressing room and a leader-like figure, until January. He will serve a three-match ban for the red card and miss games against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.

He is then expected to be part of Senegal’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which could see him jet out to host nation Morocco in mid-December. Clubs across the board are at odds with African federations over the date of release for international duty.

But he might be on Senegal duty by the time of Everton’s trip to Chelsea on December 13, which would be a big blow given Gueye has started every Premier League game this season.

Gueye wrote on social media on Monday: ‘I want to apologise first to Michael Keane. I take full responsibility for my reaction. I also apologise to my team-mates, the staff, the fans and the club.

‘What happened does not reflect who I am or the values I stand for. Emotions can run high, but nothing justifies such behaviour. I’ll make sure it never happens again.’