I am unable to portray/pursue the logic much further I`m afraid LAX LHR either you choose not to regard what does appear to be the reality of the slot situation @ MAN or an attempt or two to counter or challenge your own assumptions of MAG`s commercial reasoning & actions is not understood.
But just one last view,could it just be airlines do not wish to PAY for slots @ MAN simples & MAN wish to have the slots in the common pool as always & re used & not controlled & unused & strong armed by an airline receiver,in this case KPMG.
Please feel free to educate the forum whenever a first slot does change hands for hard cash @ MAN.
It`s nothing personal concerning MAN (it is part of the fold) but it must be a long way from slot selling between incumbents.