It's not just MAN, I need to go to NCL on a Friday morning in February, the first departure is at 09.50 as opposed to the more usual 07.15ish.
Maybe BA want to drop domestic services. Schedules like this are reminiscent of BD dropping services and then declaring the route was not profitable when they had made it useless to business travelers who in general are paying higher fares.
I opted to get the train, it will be an earlier start but I'll get there nearer the time I need to and it will be a more relaxed and pleasant journey for less money in F than BA wanted for Y.