Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and the club's chief executive David Gill are both planning to attend George Best's funeral in Belfast on Saturday.
United, however, will not request a postponement of their home league game on Saturday against Portsmouth. The match does not kick-off until 5.15pm.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Sports Minister David Hanson has not ruled out the possibility of a proposed new stadium in Belfast being named after the late Best.
There is a growing clamour for Best, who died on Friday, aged 59, to be honoured permanently in his home city.
However, Hanson stressed that it would take time for a decision to be reached on the matter.
"It is clear that George's life has meant a lot to a lot of people in Northern Ireland," he said.
"The people of Northern Ireland and people throughout the United Kingdom want to celebrate George's life in a positive way.
"He has been one of the greatest footballers that ever lived. He has brought much glory, pleasure and joy to people throughout the world."
Plans are in the pipeline for a 42,500 stadium to be built on the site of the former Maze prison and become the base for the province's football, rugby and Gaelic football teams.
Hanson would like the project to be complete in time for the 2012 London Olympics. He added on BBC Radio Ulster: "I am very confident we will be able to find an appropriate way to celebrate that life (George Best's) in due course."
Best's return may be delayed
The return of George Best's body to Belfast may be delayed, it emerged today.
The Manchester United legend's agent, Phil Hughes, had planned to fly into the city on Wednesday ahead of the largest funeral ever seen in Northern Ireland.
But the plans are now likely to be changed amid concerns the city could grind to a halt as fans prepare to pay their respects.
Mr Hughes said: "Police are very concerned we will close Belfast down if we arrive on Wednesday."
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has agreed to a request from the Best family to make Stormont available for the funeral on Saturday.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to line the route from his father Dickie's home on the Cregagh estate in the east of the city.
After a ceremony at Stormont, Best's body will be taken for burial beside his mother, Ann, at Roselawn Cemetery.
Officials from the Northern Ireland Office were today holding talks with family representatives and Castlereagh Borough Council to finalise arrangements.
