If I didn't consider subjective that issues such as ease of use & driveability were a real advantage over
the auto option I'd definitely go for the manual taking into account the practical objective
likely advantages, eg reliability, roadside fixability, multi make garage knowledge, even bump
starting, and I still reckon an experienced manual box driver can control grip better than an auto
on dodgy surfaces. All can be important issues if you use a van far and wide, as in overseas.
None of this applies to that well known crumbling 5th speed manual box of course, then it's auto
every time !!
However in a car, mainly driven in the UK. I'd probably go for (and I do) the auto.