MCP/FCU = Rumour
FMA = Fact
I can remember when we used to land and taxi off the runway without saying a word; now it is "speedbrake up/spoilers", "reverse normal/reverse green" "decel" "autobrake disarmed" etc.
These changes originated with the manufacturers, as a consequence of accidents (and no doubt some legal action against the respective manufacturers). It should be remembered though that many of these aircraft are now being flown by 500-hour pilots, where that was an unheard of situation 30 years ago. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the manufacturers are allowing for the lowest common denominator.
Like an earlier poster said, I can see both sides of this argument, and neither is perfect, but it is what we are stuck with.