WHO needs Erling Haaland when you have another Norwegian forward ready to step into his boots?
The former Borussia Dortmund forward was back in Manchester nursing a foot injury as his team-mates travelled to Serbia.
Man City ended their group stage campaign with a 100% record
Micah Hamilton opened the scoring on his senior debut
Oscar Bobb also got on the scoresheet
Kalvin Phillips scored his first Man City goal from the penalty spot
Countryman Oscar Bobb stepped into his huge boots and proved an able deputy – scoring a first goal for the club that Haaland himself would have been proud of.
It was a special night for the club’s academy with 20-year-old local wide man Micah Hamilton also marking his debut with a superb goal.
He also won a late penalty to seal the win just when Red Star were pushing for an equaliser.
To complete a night of firsts that was scored by Kalvin Phillips – yep, you read that right.
During the second half the treble winners had five players who came through the academy on the pitch.
And given they became only the second English club to complete a perfect Champions League group stage they will look back on this night with some satisfaction.
City guaranteed their place at the top of the group by beating RB Leipzig in the last round of fixtures.
And this was an absolute dead rubber with Red Star knowing even a win would not be enough for them to salvage a place in the Europa League.
Pep Guardiola chose to rest many of his key players with what the club view as a huge week coming up.
After facing Crystal Palace on Saturday – a team who have caused them problems in the past – they go to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup.
Not surprisingly – with a chance to put a fifth trophy in the overcrowded cabinet – he opted to give some of his starters a chance to put their feet up.
On this evidence the club’s future is in safe hands – given the way the youngsters performed.
Mathues Nunes had given the home side an early scare with an electric turn of pace but there was nobody in the middle to turn his cross in.
City have been quietly excited about Hamilton’s potential for a while although a serious injury last season checked his progress.
However just before the 20 minute mark he showed exactly why as he collected a pass from Nunes out on the right hand side.
He drifted past Aleksandar Dragovic and Peter Olayinka before thumping a fierce angled drive into the roof of the net.
What a moment for the local born youngster who has been at the Etihad since he was nine years old.
Guardiola made a change at the break with Grealish – who had taken that knock early on – replaced by his Three Lions team-mate Phil Foden.
Hamilton had to swap wings as a result, and shortly after the restart, he was back at it, curling a shot just inches wide of the far post.
Just after the hour, City pulled ahead while Red Star pushed for a leveller.
After gaining possession of the ball, Bobb spun in both directions before arcing a shot that went past goalie Omri Glazer.
Credit to Red Star – they did not give up and Jovan Mijatovic struck the base of the post before they finally got the goal their fans craved.
Hwang In-beom skipped through the visitors defence to slot beyond Ortega and the noise from the home crowd was deafening.
Hamilton still fancied it though and was upended in the box after another burst of pace to win a penalty for his team.
There was some discussion among who should take it with Foden and Bernardo Silva insisting it should be Phillips.
He made no mistake from the spot with an emphatic penalty then said his thank yous to his team-mates and the travelling fans.