Good old Shaggy - 20 years of QSY-ing and still no-one will talk to him - try staying on frequency for more than a minute mate
Seriously, I've never had trouble with Manch & endorse Shaggy's view.
I usually do talk to them, but first I listen (so I QSY early as poss to 119.4, well before reporting point) to determine how bizzy they are. I then do a pretty concise report rather than a life story.
e.g "G-xxxx Pa28 from Sleap to Barton, at Crewe at 2000 on nnnn (get the QNH from Manch's ATIS beforehand), descending to 1250 feet for the Low Level Route, request FIS"
You'll usually get "FIS you have, Report at Winsford, entering the LLR not above 1250 feet". When you report at Winsford, they'll usually tell you to report turning at Warrington.
I like them to know I'm there in case anyone else is bimbling down the LLR keeping a listening watch on. If he/she isnt bizzy, they'll pass unidentified traffic as well as Identified traffic to you. They wont usually ask you to squawk a unique ID.
PS I also switch my landing light on down the LLR for visual conspicuity.