Gueye’s Red Card, Moyes’s Silence, and a Midfield Crisis: Everton’s Chaotic Night at Old Trafford

Gueye red card appeal denied

Everton manager David Moyes revealed that the English FA refused to overturn Idrissa Gueye’s red card, offering no official explanation for the decision.

Gueye, 36, received a straight red for slapping teammate Michael Keane during Everton’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Monday.

Referee Tony Harrington sent Gueye off in the 13th minute after goalkeeper Jordan Pickford intervened to separate the players.

The standard punishment for violent conduct is a three‑match ban, meaning Gueye will miss Premier League fixtures against Newcastle United, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest.

Moyes told BBC that Everton’s appeal was denied without reasoning: "We appealed the red card. It was refused. No reason was given, but we appealed immediately."

Midfield crisis and injuries

Moyes admitted a midfield shortage: Gueye’s suspension, possible AFCON involvement, and recent surgery for German Merlin Rohr, plus a hamstring issue that sidelined captain Seamus Coleman. "Yes, we’re light in midfield," Moyes said. "We have other players who can fill in, like Charlie Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil if needed." He added that Merlin’s absence could stretch things until early January.

He also noted that Merlin would likely not return until January and that Gueye’s ban compounds their midfield problems, leaving the squad light in that department.

Gary Speed memorial and post‑match reactions

Before Saturday’s clash against Newcastle, Everton will unveil a memorial plaque for former player Gary Speed outside the club’s stadium to mark the fourth anniversary of his death at age 42 in November 2011.

Speed played 65 matches for Everton in the 1990s before moving to Newcastle, where he made over 200 appearances.

Gueye’s apology

After his sending-off, Gueye posted an apology on Instagram, taking responsibility and apologizing to teammate Keane, his teammates, the staff, the supporters, and the club. "This does not reflect my values," he wrote.

Reaction from Moyes

Moyes surprised some by praising the atmosphere at Old Trafford after the match, saying: "If nothing happened, nobody would be surprised. The referee could have taken more time to think." He added: "There is another side to this: I like when players fight for their team; it’s about toughness and resilience."

Amorim’s stance

Robin Amorim, Manchester United’s coach, urged his players to follow the example of Gueye and Keane after their clash. "A clash is not a bad thing," he said, "as long as it comes from pressure and not from laziness. I don’t agree with the red card, but I enjoy players showing fight when we lose the ball." He concluded: "If your players clash with that passion after losing the ball, you are on the right track."

Punchlines

Punchline 1: In football, sometimes the red card is just the referee’s way of saying, “Relax, this isn’t a soap opera—yet.”

Punchline 2: When your midfield is light, just tell the ball to stop being expensive and start being affordable.