Manual flying without F/D in ALL types of airspace(if we can do it in ORD and DFW,you can do it in LHR for sure) should be practised periodically.Workload may well increase for the PNF but it keeps the mind sharp and is not a bad thing.
There's a new breed of pilot who is actually afraid to take out the automatics and practise these essential skills.The same thing goes for non-precision approaches.Once every 6 months in the sim aint enough.And then when the ILS isnt working,you're left out to dry.Look at the KAL crash at Guam.Next time dont take the vectors the long way round for the ILS,go for the straight-in and shoot an NDB or VOR approach.One more for the memory bank and will keep you in good stead.Its called experience.
Having said that,automation is a great tool and should be used 95% of the time in busy airspace.