Ryan Giggs’ new Lancaster-backed uni attracts only 64 students

A new university pioneered by four ex-Manchester United footballers has succeeded in enrolling just 64 students for this academic year, despite promising to recruit 650 places for the new academic year.

The university, named University Academy 92, is funded through a partnership with Trafford Council and Lancaster University, located in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester.

The institution was pioneered by Ex-Manchester United players Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. Despite each being multimillionaires, they gained £2.9 million in government funding for the university.

The university failed to tempt students with their "innovative alternative to the traditional university degree course", managing to recruit less than 10 per cent of the number of attendees promised for 2019/20.

The University said: “The student population will grow incrementally from now as additional entry points, modes of study, courses and initiatives to widen access are introduced.

“Recruiting students is of course challenging across the higher education sector, not least in part due to the demographic dip which has seen a drop in the number of 18 year olds in the UK.

“However UA92 is launching with a very distinctive offer and a distinctive approach and we’re delighted with the amount of interest in studying with us.”