Neil Warnock's promotion favourites threw away the chance to take over second spot as Wigan bounced back from their shock Boxing Day defeat.
Paul Jewell's side, beaten two days ago by United's South Yorkshire neighbours Rotherham, had fallen behind to a Jack Lester goal before Nathan Ellington levelled matters a minute later.
Paddy Kenny, playing only his second game after a four month injury lay-off, kept Wigan at bay with two reflex saves early in the game.
He kept Wigan out in the eight minute after the Latics had won a free-kick on the left.
Midfielder Jimmy Bullard's precise cross was met by skipper Jason De Vos whose stinging close-range header was pushed away by Kenny, Ellington steamed on to the loose ball as Alan Wright stuck out a foot to block his shot from ten yards.
Ian Breckin struck seconds later, beating his marker to stretch to a teasing corner and again the United keeper reacted instantly to foil the big centre-back.
Ellington scooped a low shot wide of the far post minutes later as panic set into United's jittery defence before they slowly clawed they way back into the game.
Nick Montgomery threw away a simple chance, heading a Rob Kozluk centre wide of the target from six yards before United broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute.
Ashley Ward burst into the area only to be stopped in his tracks by De Vos, the ball broke to Jack Lester, who coolly skipped past John Filan to slot into an empty net.
Wigan were back on level terms a minute later, Neil Roberts picked out the lively Ellington, who twisted past centre-back Phil Jagielka before hitting an angled drive beyond Kenny's reach into the far corner.
Bullard fired a long-range free-kick inches over the bar and Lee McCulloch forced another desperate save out of Kenny before Gary Teale drilled the ball into the sidenetting as Wigan forced the pace.
Ellington almost grabbed a second in the 66th minute after McCulloch got his head to a Teale cross, the little Wigan striker nipped in, but miscued from six yards as the ball was scrambled to safety.