Manchester United have confirmed they will hold a minute's silence in honour of George Best prior to their Carling Cup tie against West Brom at Old Trafford tomorrow.
United officials did consider marking Best's death with 60 seconds of applause, which provided such a moving backdrop to Sunday's encounter with West Ham, but feel the silence would be more appropriate for the first home game since their former forward passed away on Friday, aged 59.
Instead, a minute's applause will be held before Saturday evening's Premiership fixture with Portsmouth, by which time Best's funeral will have taken place in Belfast.
Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill have already signalled their intention to fly to Northern Ireland on Saturday on a charter flight, returning in time for the Portsmouth game, which is due to kick off at 5.15pm.
Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric, a close friend of Best's, could also be on the flight, as well as some senior United players who will not be involved in the weekend game.
As the decorative tributes continue to mount up outside Old Trafford, thought is turning to a more permanent memorial to Best.
Suggestions so far include a statue to accompany the one of Matt Busby, the retiring of United's famed number seven shirt, a testimonial game involving the Red Devils and an all-Ireland side and also the possibility of naming one of the new stands in his honour.
