......
can be boring at times tho
I don't wish to start the which is best 'discussion' off again but .....
when you're in the outside lane of the motorway you've just using one pedal whether you're in an auto or a manual - no difference IMHO on the boredom factor. 
When you're queuing in heavy traffic how boring is the up/down/up/down of the clutch compared to go pedal/stop pedal/go pedal/stop pedal of an auto? 
Maybe there are times when an auto isn't in the gear that you'd might like it to be in, but that's when you might press 'S' to influeance things a little.
If I bought a Griffith 500 I would expect & want 3 pedals ... but in a big lumbering saloon? :-/

Indeed Andy!

Just press 'S' and the world dissappears behind you.

I have driven a mixture of manuals and automatics in my time, and no matter what the engine is you use the gear box to the full, using the full limits of the ratios with revs to make your vehicle move! Either in 'rally' style (when safe!!) on long windy roads or 'racing' mode on a motorway. Not boasting, but I can make my vehicles 'sing' regardless of engine / gearbox, with even my, now ousted, 19 year old Toyota (fully maintained) 1.6 carburettor (tuned!!) regulary doing 120+ mph, with great acceleration when conditions allowed. With previous 3.0 and my current 2.5, both autos, it was/is the same. Press the 'S', apply your drivers brain with skill and great acceleration with max top speed is obtained, depending on road conditions, as required. 8-) 8-)
No it is the capabilites of the driver and the maintenance standards applied to the vehicle that make the difference, manual or auto gearbox alike.
