STARS from Manchester United's legendary Class of 92 are to open a university campus in Old Trafford.

University Academy 92 (UA92) is the brainchild of former United teammates Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.

Working with partners Trafford Council, Lancaster University, Microsoft, Bruntwood and Trafford College, it will see the UA92 campus opened on the former Kellogg's HQ in Talbot Road - next to Lancashire Cricket ground.

The scheme also has the support of Manchester United and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

The facility will be a branch of Lancaster University and the first student intake will be in September 2019. The aim is to have 6,500 students there by 2028

Offering courses in sport, media and business, students will study for a degree from Lancaster University. The curriculum aims to put put personal development at the core of the learning experience.

Trafford Council leaders say the multi-million pound project will make a strong contribution to the regeneration of the Old Trafford and Stretford areas.

Launching the scheme at Trafford Town Hall on Wednesday morning, former United captain Gary Neville said: "This is an extremely proud day for myself, Nicky, Ryan, Paul and Phil.”

He said when they finished their playing careers they had wanted to do something "to give young people opportunities."

He said of the project: "I have always believed that success is down to more than just having talent and good luck.

"There should be no limits to what you can achieve with the right preparation. Our aim is that UA92 graduates would leave with an academic qualification, of course, but also with a range of other skills such as how to deal with pressure, understand finance, leadership and presentational skills, and also how to maintain a healthy body and mind.

"In other words, the complete package you need to succeed in the workplace.”

He continued: "At the centre of UA92 philosophy is the Target Talent Curriculum, which seeks to put personal development at the core of the learning experience.

"It will focus on providing students with 10 attributes: academic learning, life skills, work experience, how to survive in demanding workplace situations, leadership skills, peer group analysis, participative learning, fitness, and presentation and financial skills.

"The intention is to welcome the first students in September 2019 to a new campus in Talbot Road, Old Trafford."

He said at the launch: "Old Trafford is a special place anyway, I would argue - but it is going to become an even more special place in the coming years."

The leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Sean Anstee, said the scheme would create 700 construction jobs and 400 permanent jobs.

There will be a new Stretford Leisure Centre on the campus site.

It will also lead to new sports pitches on green space at Turn Moss, Stretford.

He said: "We will now proceed to the public consultation phase of the project and see what local people think of the idea. In my view it presents a fantastic opportunity to revitalise and support our local communities.

"It will create jobs and attract 6,500 students to the borough by 2028."

Former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is supporting the scheme.

He said: “I want to wish Gary, Nicky, Ryan, Paul and Phil good luck as they embark on a commendable project that demonstrates their commitment to giving something back to the community that played such a formative role in their lives.

"It is a project with great potential and I hope that their efforts make a genuine difference and provide opportunities in life for those that otherwise would not have been given a chance to realise their potential.”