I did the airport bus tour too arriving from STN with AB the day before.
Welcomed to the gate by a baggage loader sprawled out sunbathing on a baggage trolley. Watched an airport hand push a pair of steps to the aircraft that were clearly tagged in red "Do Not Use", then waited 10 minutes whilst a different pair of steps brought to the aircraft. The German crew were not amused by the fiasco. For heavens sake Manchester, get a grip !!