The Manchester United Academy graduate earned his first competitive cap as he replaced the match-winner Jude Bellingham, whose 13th-minute header from Bukayo Saka's cross ultimately separated the sides.
Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen came on for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Saka in England's first two substitutions, and it was the West Ham man who almost set up a second goal. Bowen's deep cross from the right found Harry Kane and the skipper's header was pushed onto the bar by Predrag Rajkoviu0107.
Serbia provided a much sterner test in the second half and Jordan Pickford was forced to make a vital save when he tipped over a shot by the lively Dusan Vlahovic.