Skipness,
The way it works at MAN, the pushback procedures are distributed to tug crews, they are also held by ATC for reference. A 'standard' pushback is assumed unless otherwise directed by ATC. This means that ATC do not have to read out the instruction verbally, they just give a clearance to push and expect the standard written manoevere to take place. The tug driver reads this off his sheet. The pilot will in all probability not know where the aircraft is going because the procedures are not published in the AIP. The onus is on the tug driver to carry out the correct manoeuvre, he/she is after all the only person who can steer the aircraft at this time. The procedures are usually published on
www.magworld.co.uk\airfieldoperations, but I couldn't find the file just now.