Egyptian striker Amr Zaki started the game for Wigan, but couldn’t prevent his team from losing until he was substituted on 76 minutes.

The home side scored as early as the first minute. Dimitar Berbatov accurate through ball released Cristiano Ronaldo on the right whose cross was easily tapped in by Rooney.

Carlos Tevez, who came on for the injured Rooney had a chance to add a second after he skipped past Chris Kirkland, but the Argentine couldn’t follow up his effort.

In the second half, Wigan pushed for an equalizer, but United keeper was there to deny them on a couple of occasions.

Berbatov had United's best chance of the half when he sent a curling shot from outside the box inches wide of Kirkland's post.

The win lifts United to second in the table with 44, while Wigan remain seventh on 31 points.