Wigan can't stop a second half masterful United at Old Trafford
Despite holding firm against the reigning Barclays Premiership champions for the first half, a second half blitz from Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo condemned Latics to a heavy defeat.
But Latics fans could argue that the hard work of boss Chris Hutchings' men meant the scoreline flattered United with Tevez' opening goal boosting the confidence of the home side.
Wigan went to Old Trafford without the services of both Emile Heskey and Antoine Sibierski, and Hutchings decided to pack his midfield with five men, leaving Marcus Bent up front as a sole striker. Former Marseille man Saloman Olembe made his debut on the left-flank.
Latics were given a glimour of hope that they may get something out of the game early on when United were weakened due to injuries to Nemanja Vidic and John O'Shea, and both were replaced by the inexperienced Gerard Pique and Danny Simpson - but it was not meant to be.
United broke the deadlock on 54 minutes when Tevez latched onto an Anderson through ball, and drew out Chris Kirkland from his line and clinically fired into the corner.
The Reds doubled the lead just four minutes later when Ryan Giggs' shot was parried by Kirkland but Ronaldo headed in rebound at far post from point blank range.
Ronaldo netted again in the 76th minute when Wayne Rooney squared the ball from left flank and Ronaldo cleverly found space in the box to tap home.
Rooney then got his first league goal of the campaign as he headed powerfully into net at far post from substitute Simpson's cross.
Although United were expectedly the more dominant side, Latics had chances at Old Trafford to get on the score sheet.
Just after the half-hour mark, Australian midfielder Josip Skoko caught a well executed half-volley from distance, and his dipping shot tested Tomasz Kuszczak, and Polish goalkeeper had to stretch to make the save.
Five minutes later, Bent's cross from the left flank found Paul Scharner in space inside the penalty box, but United defender Patrice Evra performed a well timed heroic challenge to steal the ball away from Wigan's Austrian midfielder.
In the second half just before an hour's play, Jason Koumas ran through the midfield towards a back pedaling Rio Ferdinand before unleashing a low thirty-yard drive which shaved the near post.
And eight minutes later, substitute Luis Antonio Valencia forced Kuszczak into tipping the ball round the post for a corner. The Ecuadorian, who had only just replaced Olembe, stepped past his marker and fired a powerful shot towards the far corner for Wigan's best chance of the match.
Goalkeeper Kirkland wasn't troubled too much apart from the goals, although he made a couple vital saves in the first half whilst Latics battled hard to keep the scores level up to half-time.
In the first five minutes, Tevez's cross was unluckily deflected towards the goal by Olembe, and the Latics shot stopper had to claw the ball away to safety.
Wigan's number one was also called into action when he parried away Ronaldo's thirty-yard drive in the 39th minute.
The Portuguese playmaker could have had a hat-trick but was denied by Kevin Kilbane, who was once again impressive in his defensive position. The former Everton man made a brilliant challenge in the second half on United midfielder to deny him a clear view of goal.
So it was another tough trip to Old Trafford for Latics, but the first half performance certainly stifled United and offers more optimism that if one of the "big four" have a bad day, then they could be in for a tough time next time they play Wigan.
After the two games versus Portsmouth and Birmingham, it will be unsettled Chelsea who Latics will be aiming to wrest some points from.
LATICS: Kirkland, Melchiot (Hall 50), Boyce, Bramble, Kilbane, Scharner, Brown, Skoko, Koumas, Olembe (Valencia 66), Bent.
UNUSED SUBS: Pollitt, Landzaat, Aghahowa.
BOOKINGS: Skoko
MAN UTD: Kuszczak, Pique, Ferdinand, Vidic (Anderson 21), Evra, Ronaldo, O'Shea (Simpson 30), Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez (Nani 81).
UNUSED SUBS: Heaton, Eagles.
BOOKINGS: Rooney
GOALS: Tevez 54, Ronaldo 59, 76, Rooney 82
REFEREE: Mike Riley
