Gianfranco Zola Drops ‘Crazy’ Manchester United Hojlund Claim And Makes Napoli Serie A Prediction
Man United's loss is Napoli's gain...
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 30 December 2025
Gianfranco Zola has tipped Napoli to win Serie A and said Rasmus Hojlund is “driving everyone crazy” at Manchester United due to his impact in Italy.
Zola backs Napoli even though he doesn’t think they’re the strongest side in Serie A
Napoli, the reigning Serie A champions, are firmly in the Scudetto picture this season too.
The Partenopei are third in the table, just two points behind leaders Inter.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Zola said the Nerazzurri remain “the strongest team”, even if only by a small margin.
However, the former Napoli forward admitted his prediction is guided by sentimentality as much as analysis.
“I’m romantic, and I say Napoli,” Zola said, adding that his first child was born in the city and he “received so much” there.
Zola also pointed to the south Italian side’s long-term growth under owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.
He spoke of the “powerful and appropriate” investment in the club over the last 15 years.
Zola also suggested Antonio Conte could “make history” by delivering consecutive league titles in Naples.
Better still, Conte could soon extend his Napoli contract, according to recent reports.
‘Driving everyone crazy’: the Hojlund quote that will sting at Old Trafford
Zola’s most eye-catching remark was reserved for Hojlund, who he believes has already made a serious impression since moving to Napoli.
“Hojlund is driving everyone crazy, even people at Manchester United,” Zola said.
He linked that frustration to what he described as Erik ten Hag’s “reckless” choices, and referenced Scott McTominay’s departure in the same breath.
Hojlund joined Man United to much fanfare, but it didn’t take long for the fans to turn on him.
Meanwhile, McTominay was a solid enough player at Old Trafford, but few would have guessed he would have become a superstar.
Now, Man United’s loss is Napoli’s gain. Both Hojlund and McTominay are thriving at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
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In addition, Hojlund has made his feelings clear about both Napoli and Man United.
A few weeks ago, he took to Instagram with a picture of himself holding the Italian Supercup.
His caption read: “What a great decision looks like.”
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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