Micah Richards suggests Kevin De Bruyne hat-trick has proven Pep Guardiola wrong

Micah Richards has hinted that Manchester City might have been in the Champions League final if Pep Guardiola had not substituted Kevin De Bruyne against Real Madrid.

He was speaking after the Belgian’s four-goal haul against Wolves on Wednesday, which saw City stretch their lead over Liverpool back to three points at the summit of the table. De Bruyne netted a hat-trick within 24 minutes - the third quickest in Premier League history.

His efforts at Molineux took his season goal tally up to 19, which means he is enjoying his most prolific season in a City shirt. De Bruyne was taken off in the second half of City’s Champions League loss to Madrid last week.

READ MORE:Kevin De Bruyne quadruple sends Man City clear of Liverpool FC again

Speaking on Sky Sports, Richards suggested that his performance against Wolves indicated that Guardiola made the wrong decision. He said: “But he would have been disappointed (to be subbed against Madrid).

“And when you have disappointment in football, you have to react. And that’s what he did.

“When Pep made the sub, Man City go and score. But especially going into extra time, you want that player on the pitch.

"But the manager made a decision then Man City sort of crumbled after. Had they had him on the pitch it might have been different.”

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