Manual gearbox versus Automatic gearbox?

I have been always driving cars with manual gearboxes and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I'm currently in the USA as an international student and am contemplating on buying a car. Most cars here are automatics. I was wondering whether I should follow the crowd and opt for an automatic (not something I'm a big fan of) or go for a manual.
What are you views on the touted pros of manuals - cheaper, fuel efficient, easy and cheap to maintain and repair, and capable of providing a thorough driving experience? Just so you know, I'm planning on buying a Ford Focus. So, let me know if my question has any bearing on my choice or vice versa?

I own a 2013 focus 5 speed manual, great car great gas mileage

Manual

Personally I operate so many different types of heavy equipment with a forward reverse shuttle shift I find it hard to drive an automatic, I keep turning on the turn signals when going from forward to reverse, Haven't owned a vehicle with an automatic in over 20 years.

Manual is better for mpgs (although Click n Clack denied this just today) but it would seem as if automatic ought to do better--at least across average drivers. But none of them yet advertise that they give improved mpgs over manual, so I guess that shows. After decades of grabby crabby clutches, I have an automatic and I'm liking it. I never had one enjoyable clutch in the whole time.

Well, between automatic and manual, is basically the clutch. There's very little differences between them. The big difference is, if you go automatic, you don't have to worry on how good the clutch is. Cause in a manual, if your clutch is bad, that's dangerous