Wayne Rooney returned for Manchester United as headed goals from Patrice Evra and Javier Hernandez saw them move level on points with leaders Chelsea.
Evra headed home Park Ji-Sung's cross to break the deadlock before half time after hesitancy from Ali Al Habsi.
Wigan later had Antolin Alcaraz sent off for two bookable offences before Hugo Rodallega was red carded for a wild lunge on United defender Rafael.
Hernandez then sealed the win when he headed in from Rafael's centre.
It was an important victory for the Old Trafford outfit who took advantage of defeats for Premier League leaders Chelsea and second-placed Arsenal as Sir Alex Ferguson's men moved level on points with the champions.
Phelan promises 'more to come' from Man Utd
Wigan's record against United had been poor with Roberto Martinez's side losing all 11 of their previous meetings. They were also beaten 5-0 twice by United last season but despite the odds being stacked against them they started brightly at Old Trafford.
In fact, of the clear-cut opportunities, Wigan enjoyed the better of the first-half chances.
First, Jordi Gomez fired over the bar from close range after Nemanja Vidic made a mess of a clearance while Ronnie Stam also struck wide following more, poor United defending.
Soon after Charles N'Zogbia weaved his way past three United defenders before firing straight at Edwin Van der Sar who did well to close the angle at the feet of the Wigan man.
And on the stroke of half time the Latics were denied a penalty after Vidic hauled down N'Zogbia but Wigan's appeals were waved away by referee Martin Atkinson.
At the other end United created very little with their final ball often letting them down. Nani went close with one deflected strike while also forcing Al Habsi into a scrambled save from a curling free kick - but by in large the hosts were poor.
It took until the 45th minute for United to break the deadlock and it came from an unlikely source, with Evra heading home Park's cross from close range for his first goal in the three and a half years.
United waited until the hour before introducing Rooney and his return from a five-week absence was met with cheers and jeers from the Old Trafford faithful, with his bitter contract negotiations that resulted in him belatedly signing a new five-year deal still fresh in the memory.
Soon after, Alcaraz was sent off for a foul on Darren Fletcher as he picked up his second booking of the match as Wigan's task became that much harder.
Wigan's woes continued minutes later as 10 men became nine, with Rodallega red carded for a dangerous two-footed lunge on Rafael.
Sensing an opportunity to increase their lead United sent on Hernandez to partner Rooney up front.
Everything went against us - Martinez
Rooney went close to doubling United's lead but his header from Rafael's cross was tipped over the bar from Al Habsi.
But where Rooney failed, Hernandez succeeded, heading another Rafael cross past the Wigan keeper from close range for his fourth league goal of the season.
Late on, Nani tested Al Habsi with a decent strike from the edge of the area while Hernandez also bundled wide from close range following another fine cross from Rafael.
In the dying moments of the game Rooney scuffed an effort straight at the Wigan keeper while Evra inexplicably fired wide from the angle of the six-yard box as the match ended 2-0.
90:00+3:40 The referee brings the game to a close.
90:00+3:04 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Maynor Figueroa by Rafael Da Silva. Ali Al Habsi takes the direct free kick.
90:00+2:51 The ball is sent over by Rafael Da Silva, Mohamed Diame manages to make a clearance.
90:00+2:06 Centre by Luis Nani, Shot by Gabriel Obertan from 12 yards. Save made by Ali Al Habsi. Short corner taken by Luis Nani from
the left by-line.
90:00+0:39 Corner taken by Luis Nani from the left by-line. Paul Scholes takes a shot. Steven Caldwell gets a block in. Close range shot
by Patrice Evra goes wide of the right-hand upright.
90:00+0:33 Luis Nani crosses the ball, clearance by Steven Caldwell.
90:00+0:05 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save by Ali Al Habsi.
89:04 Patrice Evra takes a shot. Blocked by Hendry Thomas. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Luis Nani.
88:55 The ball is crossed by Luis Nani.
Correction - 88:15 The ball is delivered by Luis Nani, save made by Ali Al Habsi.
88:15 Javier Hernandez delivers the ball, save by Ali Al Habsi.
87:08 The ball is delivered by Rafael Da Silva, Shot from close in by Javier Hernandez misses to the left of the goal.
86:23 The ball is swung over by Darren Fletcher.
86:04 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Luis Nani.
85:17 Luis Nani takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, James McArthur makes a clearance.
84:33 The ball is crossed by Luis Nani, James McArthur manages to make a clearance. Luis Nani decides to take a short corner, Luis
Nani takes a shot. Save made by Ali Al Habsi.
83:44 The ball is sent over by Victor Moses.
83:13 Unfair challenge on Franco Di Santo by Nemanja Vidic results in a free kick. Hendry Thomas restarts play with the free kick.
82:27 Centre by Gabriel Obertan.
Correction - 80:41 Shot from just outside the box by Gabriel Obertan goes over the bar.
80:41 Effort on goal by Gabriel Obertan from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
Correction - 79:16 Foul by Patrice Evra on Charles N'Zogbia, free kick awarded. Hendry Thomas has an effort direct from the free kick, comfortable
save by Edwin Van der Sar.
Correction - 79:16 Substitution (Wigan) makes a substitution, with Franco Di Santo coming on for Charles N'Zogbia.
Correction - 79:16 Substitution James McArthur replaces Ronnie Stam.
79:16 Charles N'Zogbia fouled by Patrice Evra, the ref awards a free kick.
79:16 Substitution Franco Di Santo comes on in place of Charles N'Zogbia.
79:16 Substitution Ronnie Stam goes off and James McArthur comes on.
77:36 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Luis Nani from the left by-line to the near post.
77:21 The ball is swung over by Luis Nani, Steven Caldwell makes a clearance.
76:02 The assist for the goal came from Rafael Da Silva.
76:02 GOAL - Javier Hernandez:Man Utd 2 - 0 Wigan Javier Hernandez scores a headed goal from close range. Man Utd 2-0 Wigan.
75:36 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Luis Nani, Steve Gohouri manages to make a clearance.
75:28 Patrice Evra crosses the ball, Hendry Thomas gets a block in.
75:04 The ball is sent over by Patrice Evra, Mohamed Diame manages to make a clearance.
71:54 Unfair challenge on Wayne Rooney by Mohamed Diame results in a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Luis
Nani.
70:25 The ball is delivered by Rafael Da Silva, Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a save. Floated corner taken by Luis
Nani from the left by-line, Shot from just outside the box by Paul Scholes goes over the target.
70:06 Rafael Da Silva delivers the ball, clearance by Hendry Thomas.
69:16 Rafael Da Silva delivers the ball, Steven Caldwell makes a clearance.
68:52 The ball is swung over by Gabriel Obertan, Steven Caldwell manages to make a clearance.
67:48 Victor Moses has an effort at goal from a long way out that misses to the right of the target.
65:41 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Javier Hernandez by Hendry Thomas. Direct free kick taken by Paul Scholes.
63:56 The ball is delivered by Patrice Evra, Close range header by Luis Nani goes wide of the left-hand upright.
63:56 Substitution Javier Hernandez joins the action as a substitute, replacing Michael Carrick.
63:20 The ball is sent over by Rafael Da Silva, clearance by Ronnie Stam.
60:56 Edwin Van der Sar takes the free kick.
60:56 Sent off The referee red cards Hugo Rodallega for serious foul play.
Correction - 60:49 Hugo Rodallega challenges Rafael Da Silva unfairly and gives away a free kick.
60:49 awarded for a foul by Victor Moses on Rafael Da Silva.
60:13 Hendry Thomas challenges Luis Nani unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Luis Nani.
58:21 Unfair challenge on Darren Fletcher by Antolin Alcaraz results in a free kick. Luis Nani delivers the ball from the free kick
right-footed from right wing, clearance made by Steve Gohouri.
58:21 Sent off The referee sends off Antolin Alcaraz for second bookable offence.
58:05 The ball is crossed by Luis Nani.
57:06 Substitution Jordi Gomez leaves the field to be replaced by Victor Moses.
55:32 Substitution Wayne Rooney on for Federico Macheda.
55:32 Substitution Paul Scholes on for Ji-Sung Park.
54:51 The ball is sent over by Rafael Da Silva, blocked by Charles N'Zogbia.
Correction - 48:29 Shot by Hendry Thomas from a long way out goes over the target.
48:29 Effort on goal by Hendry Thomas from long range goes harmlessly over the target.
47:52 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Maynor Figueroa by Rafael Da Silva. Free kick crossed left-footed by Charles
N'Zogbia, Patrice Evra manages to make a clearance.
46:56 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steve Gohouri by Luis Nani. Steve Gohouri takes the free kick.
46:13 Luis Nani sends in a cross, clearance made by Maynor Figueroa.
45:01 The game restarts for the second half.
Half Time
45:00+2:20 The ref blows to signal half-time.
45:00+1:17 Federico Macheda gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Antolin Alcaraz. Direct free kick taken by Maynor Figueroa.
44:58 Assist by Ji-Sung Park.
44:58 GOAL - Patrice Evra:Man Utd 1 - 0 Wigan Patrice Evra finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close range. Man Utd 1-0 Wigan.
44:48 The ball is delivered by Darren Fletcher, Antolin Alcaraz makes a clearance.
44:10 Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Caldwell on Ji-Sung Park. Direct free kick taken by Rafael Da Silva.
42:26 Hugo Rodallega challenges Nemanja Vidic unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Edwin Van der Sar.
41:39 Unfair challenge on Rafael Da Silva by Charles N'Zogbia results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Michael Carrick.
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Hendry Thomas by Patrice Evra. Ali Al Habsi takes the free kick.
38:42 Free kick awarded for a foul by Patrice Evra on Jordi Gomez. Steve Gohouri restarts play with the free kick.
37:54 Maynor Figueroa sends in a cross, Shot by Hugo Rodallega from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.
37:35 Charles N'Zogbia takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Nemanja Vidic.
37:15 Charles N'Zogbia takes a shot. Save made by Edwin Van der Sar.
36:22 Ronnie Stam delivers the ball.
35:27 The ball is delivered by Patrice Evra, save by Ali Al Habsi.
35:00 Shot from close in by Ronnie Stam misses to the left of the target.
32:11 Steve Gohouri concedes a free kick for a foul on Ji-Sung Park. Free kick taken by Patrice Evra.
30:48 Free kick awarded for a foul by Federico Macheda on Hendry Thomas. Mohamed Diame restarts play with the free kick.
30:00 Antolin Alcaraz gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gabriel Obertan. Luis Nani delivers the ball from the free
kick right-footed from right wing, Mohamed Diame makes a clearance.
30:00 Booking Antolin Alcaraz is given a yellow card.
29:43 Darren Fletcher takes a shot. Blocked by Mohamed Diame.
29:25 Corner from the right by-line taken by Luis Nani, Hugo Rodallega makes a clearance.
28:24 Free kick awarded for a foul by Mohamed Diame on Ji-Sung Park. Free kick crossed right-footed by Luis Nani from right channel,
Antolin Alcaraz manages to make a clearance.
28:24 Booking Mohamed Diame goes into the referee's book.
26:51 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ji-Sung Park by Ronnie Stam. Strike on goal comes in from Luis Nani from the
free kick, comfortable save by Ali Al Habsi.
26:10 Hugo Rodallega fouled by Nemanja Vidic, the ref awards a free kick. Jordi Gomez restarts play with the free kick.
Correction - 21:17 Charles N'Zogbia takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.
21:17 Charles N'Zogbia takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
17:54 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Luis Nani by Mohamed Diame. Free kick crossed by Luis Nani.
14:04 The offside flag is raised against Federico Macheda. Indirect free kick taken by Ali Al Habsi.
11:23 Luis Nani produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal. Corner taken
right-footed by Luis Nani from the left by-line to the near post, Antolin Alcaraz manages to make a clearance.
10:53 Jordi Gomez takes a shot. Edwin Van der Sar makes a comfortable save.
10:27 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gabriel Obertan by Hendry Thomas. Michael Carrick takes the direct free kick.
8:01 Hugo Rodallega takes a shot. Save made by Edwin Van der Sar.
7:34 Gabriel Obertan crosses the ball.
6:48 Steve Gohouri challenges Ji-Sung Park unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed by Luis Nani, save by Ali Al
Habsi.
6:05 Handball decision goes against Hugo Rodallega. Rio Ferdinand restarts play with the free kick.
4:26 The ball is swung over by Charles N'Zogbia. Shot from close range by Jordi Gomez clears the bar.
3:22 Federico Macheda gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Antolin Alcaraz. Ali Al Habsi takes the direct free kick.
2:32 Patrice Evra crosses the ball, clearance by Maynor Figueroa.
0:00 The referee starts the match.
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