LOL ^^^^^
My wife, and "How can there be no money, I still have checks in the check book?"
Yes I am old, checks, and check books, used to be ways of paying for things
There really is no contest for reliability, a manual trans will simply last longer than any automatic, if thats the question
But a manual does need the clutch replaced every 200k miles or so depending on driver
Automatics are "better" for most applications, and stronger for towing.
If you are switching to a manual because you want a manual then go for it, but much better to sell the automatic vehicle and buy a factory manual vehicle for reliability
If you want to switch to a manual because automatic broke down then don't, fix the automatic, either do it yourself or find a reliable shop and make sure they install a new FORD pump, one-way clutch and OD Drum
If you, or they, only replace gaskets, seals, servos, bands and clutches(rebuild kit) then trans will be "back in the shop" in 12 to 18 months.
This is why automatics can get a bad rep, lack of service and then bad/cheap rebuilds