The best replacement for manual mode is aperture priority.

The best alternatives to manual mode are rated as following:
★★★★★  aperture priority
★★★  aperture mode
★★  program mode
★  ettl

Your alternative for manual mode is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about manual mode, one probably shouldn't forget about auto iso.

Other search terms related to manual mode and their ratings are:
★★★★★ auto iso
★★★ paddle shifters
★★★ cvt
★★★ paddle shifter
You have in mind a companion for manual mode and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of manual mode in all years. Click on graph for more.
manual mode
aperture priority
aperture mode