Yes, it is normal :-) Despite the common name, red maples (Acer rubrum) do NOT have red leaves. They are named for the coloration of the leaf petioles and flowers. And they often (but not always) develop a good red fall color. But always green leaves during the growing season!

Maples that come with red foliage include Norway maple (Acer platanoides) but that is rapidly becoming a a disfavored invasive species. Or various selections of Asian maples, most notably Acer palmatum cultivars, of which there are many with red leaves.

yms_1975, do you have any pictures of the old tree? If it had red leaves all year round my bet is on a Jaoanese maple, officially called Acer palmatum.

Some of the experts here can even tell you which cultivar.