Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has agreed to lift his ban on talking to the BBC.

Ferguson began his boycott of the broadcaster in 2004 after it made allegations against his son, Jason, in a TV documentary.

A statement said: "Sir Alex and the BBC have put behind them the difficulties which led to Sir Alex feeling unable to appear on BBC programmes."

United's next game is against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The joint statement, released on Thursday, follows a meeting between Sir Alex and the BBC's director general, Mark Thompson, and BBC North director Peter Salmon.

It added: "The issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.

"Sir Alex will now make himself available to the BBC for Match of the Day, Radio 5 live and other outlets as agreed.

"No further comment will be made by either party on this issue."