Man City youngsters give Pep Guardiola potential Champions League and Club World Cup boost with Leipzig win

Manchester City's under-19s gave Pep Guardiola more options to rotate in December by wrapping up their UEFA Youth League group with a game to spare - just like the first team can on Tuesday.

City battled from a goal down to beat Leipzig and confirm their place in the last-16 of the Youth League and avoiding a problematic play-off tie away from home. That could have a knock-on effect, too, should Guardiola's senior side also win their Champions League group against Leipzig and look to the academy for rotation in Serbia against Red Star next month.

City went into this game having won three of their four games, held at Leipzig in the return fixture in their toughest test of the Youth League so far. This contest followed a similar pattern, with Leipzig resolute in defence and clinical on the break. Joel Ndala, fresh from impressing in England's premature U17 World Cup exit, forced a save after a fine solo run, and England U17 teammate Justin Oboavwoduo was desperately unlucky to see a close-range shot blocked for a corner after Jaden Heskey's smart cutback.

ALSO READ: Man City vs RB Leipzig LIVE team news and predictions for Champions League fixture

ALSO READ: City unveil new statue outside Etihad Stadium in permanent tribute to three club icons

Just like in Germany, City were made to pay for missed chances, with Leipzig striker Yannick Eduardo converting a first-half penalty after Nuha Jatta tempted a foul from goalkeeper True Grant - who was only saved from a red card thanks to the double-jeopardy rule when the penalty was given. He was certainly the last man, denying a goalscoring opportunity. Eduardo celebrated with the Cristiano Ronaldo 'Sui' celebration, drawing jeers from the City fans.

City weren't giving up