Manchester United were frustrated for much of the opening half by Wigan Athletic but are ahead at the break thanks to Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie.
© PA Photos
The visitors controlled possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the first 45 minutes.
Ryan Giggs put the best cross of the match in on the half-hour mark, but the ball was not rewarded by a willing United runner.
Wigan's stubborn resistance was ended 10 minutes before the interval when Patrice Evra's shot was parried by Ali Al-Habsi into the path of Hernandez, who made no mistake from close range.
Van Persie then gave Al-Habsi no chance two minutes before the interval, collecting a pass from Hernandez before curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner.