There was once definitely a benefit to driving manuals—back in the day when autos didn't have enough low-ratio alternative settings, you genuinely could get a bit stuck.
I think the lowest gearings on autos are now enough for most of those occasional tight spots, like when you're trying to get up the gravelly hill at a holiday spot, or you wanted to pass someone in a hurry at high speed.
I've always driven manuals, it's easy and I prefer it. I hope I'll get to switch from manuals to a driverless vehicle in a decade or two. Meanwhile I'll try not to kill myself falling off motorcycles, currently nursing a sprained elbow from dirt biking in the goldfields.
