I've used both auto's and manuals off-road, including pay and plays.
I would say the only advantage a manual has over an auto is when you have a V8 that gets wet and miss-fires at an in-oppurtune moment.
With a manual you can just slip the clutch a bit and rev the the engine to get the cylinders firing again, whilst still maintaining forward movement.
You have a choice on autos too, hence the 1 2 3 D options on the selector...
I agree, for me autos are for road use. I have driven both, and I much prefer the much finer level of control you you have with a manual, plus the shorter gap between ratios that the extra gear gives you often helps. I have never had a situation where I have wished Ihad an auto when driving a manual, but I have sometimes wished for a manual when driving an auto, but only when towing or driving off road.... and short-shifting an auto from 1st to second whilst bouncing about doesn't normally go straight into 3rd or Drive then have to come back again to the gear you want?
Don't matter, I prefer manual, whatever the situation ... though I would like cruise control, good cruise control that is, for getting to and from lanes ..