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.
So his 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.
Jack Grealish also caught the eye early on – but took a nasty bang to the ribs which meant he needed lengthy treatment.
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.
Currently the captain of the Elite Development Squad, he was described as a ‘street footballer’ by their coach Brian Barry Murphy.
One to keep an eye on for sure. And no matter what happens to him in the future, he will always have this moment to treasure.
Red Star’s noisy fans demanded a response and they almost got one.
Kosta Nedeljkovic sold a dummy to Mateo Kovacic and cut in from the left but floated his shot just over Stefan Ortega’s cross bar.
But City always looked like they had more gears to go through – with Nunes sliding a shot narrowly wide.
The former Wolves man then fed Hamilton whose low cross was just out of the reach of the sliding Bobb at the far post.
He managed to work the ball back to Phillips who floated a shot narrowly over the angle.
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.
That meant Hamilton switched wings and he was at it again soon after the re-start curling a shot inches wide of the far post.
Ortega had to be at this best to keep out a volley from Cherif Ndiaye then the German went full stretch to push a drive from Guelor Kanga round the post.
Phillips picked up a booking early in the second half and then his heart would have been in his mouth when he dived in to another challenge moments later.
A red card was the last thing the £45 million midfielder needed.
Red Star were pushing for a leveller but City moved further ahead just after the hour.
Bobb picked up the ball and twisted one way and then the other before shaping his shot beyond keeper 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.
Still there was time for Mijatovic to hit the other post before Aleksandar Katai pulled another goal back nodding in a simple header from a corner.
But City held on to make it six out of six and they go into the knockout stage full of confidence.