I've been surprised by the number of people who get off trains from Manchester at Wilmslow in the mornings, there are quite a few commuters to Wilmslow.The morning path between Manchester & Birmingham is taken by Avanti (and before them Virgin and before them British Rail) with the train continuing onward to London Euston. The via Crewe journey is to keep the XC timetable but avoiding conflict at Stoke. (Obviously, both trains have a few minutes difference to the clock face.) I can't see there being many Manchester-Wilmslow commuters in the morning.
However I don't understand your post, I'm referring to the morning down XC Crewe-Wilmslow-Stockport-Manchester and the afternoon up XC Manchester-Stockport-Wilmslow-Crewe in my post whereas you seem to be referring to other times and services.
Or maybe I'm missing the point, sorry if so!
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