MAN-SYD
Just to add my comments on this. 12 years ago I emigrated to Sydney, and I fly "home" several times each year. I used to enjoy using the Cathay service MAN-HKG-SYD, and when that discontinued I hubbed on QF or BA through LHR. However, multiple missed connections made me review that and now I use the excellent Etihad service from MAN. Interestingly, business-class fares on this service are more expensive than those from LHR. The Etihad business cabin into MAN always seems to be full, whilst economy is sparsely populated.
I have to say that almost nothing could now tempt me back to going via LHR. Last time I did it, I had a nightmare transfer from T3 to T5, waiting in a queue for 90 minutes and coming within a whisker of missing my connection (again.)
Whenever the Australian press talks about Jetstar's expansion into Europe, Manchester is never mentioned. Their favoured destinations seem to be Athens, Rome and Paris.