Premier League: Wigan 0 Manchester United 4

A brace from Javier Hernandez and late tap-ins from Wayne Rooney and Fabio ensured United’s perfect record against Wigan continued.

The Premier League leaders racked up a 13th win against their north-west neighbours, who toiled but were made to rue a couple of gilt-edged chances they created and squandered in the first half.

And the late strikes from Rooney and Fabio could prove so important at the end of the season if the relegation dogfight involving Wigan comes down to goal difference.

Wigan should have taken the lead as early as the 13th minute, when Paul Scholes gave the ball away allowing Victor Moses to bear down on goal.

But goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was off his line quickly and made a good block.

United then broke, but Hernandez was stopped dead in his tracks by a textbook block challenge from Maynor Figueroa.

The respite was only temporary, however, with United taking the lead from their next attack.

Nani played a one-two with Wayne Rooney, and his cross was slotted home by Hernandez from close range.

Wigan, though, could have been level within a minute, with Moses again supplying the danger down the left.

The England Under-21 winger’s cross was flicked by Charles N’Zogbia towards James McCarthy, but his shot was smothered by Van der Sar.

It was nearly game over on the half-hour mark when Nani took the ball off Rooney and unleashed a cracking strike that beat Ali Al Habsi but came back off the crossbar.

Figueroa almost found an equaliser at the start of the second period, his thunderbolt from 35 yards being tipped away by Van der Sar.

At the other end, Nani twice forced good saves from Al Habsi as United pushed for a second goal.

Wigan sent on Franco di Santo for the final quarter, and the Argentinian had the ball in the net within two minutes only for the offside flag to halt the celebrations.

The points were sealed on 74 minutes when Hernandez slid the ball under Al Habsi, but further strikes from Rooney and substitute Fabio were extremely harsh on Wigan.