I imagine Etihad will be keen to get as many connecting pax as possible when the B777s come on the MAN route with all those extra seats to fill. The early flybe domestic wave arrives about 08.00 so there's a decent connecting time for EY, and indeed EK departures.
And at least it's only T3 to T1 for transfers. Have transfer facilities been enhanced, or are there plans to do so, with the new emphasis on connectivity, which will apply to TCX flights as well if the link with flybe develops?