CRJ elevators are fully hydraulic, multiple actuators per surface, no manual reversion at all. So yes, "manual control" in this context means "hands on the controls".
Although the flight surfaces on the CRJ are hydraulically actuated, there is no computer in between the pedals and the control column deciding weather the crew are flying safely or not and maybe just making matters worse such as on other FBW aircraft I know. So the flight surfaces should have done exactly as commanded.
What are the chances of a scenario like UA232?