Two goals in less than a minute midway through the first half warmed a crowd of more than 26,000 at Bramall Lane, but neither side could carve out any meaningful chances in a disappointing second period.
Jack Lester scored his 10th goal of the season to put the Blades ahead in the 23rd minute, but Nathan Ellington hit back for the visitors from the edge of the penalty area less than 60 seconds later.
Prompted by midfielder Jimmy Bullard - who sent a 35-yarder fizzing narrowly wide - Wigan had much the better of the early chances, with two goalbound Jason De Vos headers forcing fit-again Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny into hasty action.
United fans had to wait until the 15th minute before their side got in a shot on goal - Lester pulling his effort from the edge of the penalty area wide, while Nick Montgomery's header from a Rob Kozluk cross was off target.
The home side then caught Wigan on the break to take the lead against the run of play. The Blades broke down field, Ashley Ward found strike partner Lester in space in the area, and the latter drilled home from close range.
United's lead was short-lived. Wigan striker Neil Roberts had time out wide to pick out Ellington, and the record signing ran on to sweep home the equaliser from 15 yards.
Blades midfielder Michael Tonge then failed to hit the target with a 25-yard free-kick - and Peter Ndlovu fired in a 20-yarder which flew inches over before Robert Page headed wide.
Lee McCulloch tested Kenny again from distance, while Gary Teale fired in from the edge of the box just before the interval.
Lester had Filan scrambling to turn away his 18-yard shot straight after the restart - and at the other end Kenny did well to hold a header from Roberts, while Teale rifled one over from 20 yards.
On the hour Blades boss Neil Warnock replaced Ndlovu with striker Steve Kabba, who was making his first appearance of the season following tendinitis in his knee.
Both sides were whipping crosses into the opposition box, with neither able to carve out an opening.
Lester went close from a set-piece, heading Tonge's free-kick wide - and Ellington was wayward with his left-footer from the edge of the box as the game headed for a draw.
Warnock threw on Wayne Allison and Paul Peschisolido for Ward and Lester with 10 minutes to go in a bid to snatch the spoils, but Wigan held firm and could have nicked it themselves had Ian Breckin's header in the closing stages not been safely snaffled by Kenny.
Man of the Match: Nick Montgomery