MAN-IVL flights have been known about for months now.....they fit in with the existing MAN schedule.
With regards to the MAN/LPL argument..........I think what MUFC is trying to say is that MAN's catchment area is huge when compared to Liverpool's lucrative yet very defined catchment. With that in mind, such a new Easyjet leisure destination would have better chance out of MAN.
My bets are on SSH-MAN. The marketing PA's issued to crews last week state MAN-SSH. These were swiftly recalled but this is probably due to the fact that the route isn't ready for launch yet.