Originally Posted by AlicorporateUK

Welcome to FlyerTalk, nic.

Check-in at Manchester and –generally speaking– in most outstations opens roughly 2 hours before the flight and I'm afraid there's no bag drop i.e. you will have to go to the main check-in desks (normally 2) anyway.

You are correct in assuming that you will not get lounge access in Manchester whereas you will indeed in Copenhagen on your way back, I'm not aware of any time restrictions but others could throw a light on this for you.

G