"Flybe seem to think that their handling at Manchester is appalling"
Wheres your proof of this statement? Official source? or just plain old claptrap?
If your judging that comment based on a disgruntled captains view (probably ex bacon) then maybe you should rethink it and take a deeper look into things.
Everyone is so keen to flame the new handling agent at MAN but delays are often due to crew sickness, tech or LIAC.
Under the circumstances that flight support have been under, they have done amazingly well given the time to prepare for flybe and train staff up ready for it.