Manual vs Automatic mpg?

[TKxD]

How can a 4 speed automatic possibly get the same mpg as a 5 speed manual?
I have the 5 speed and I always get 33 mpg or better in mixed city/highway driving.

[TKxD]

And at today's fillup I got 36 in mixed driving.

[hep2]

my wife's automatic matrix with the same engine as my standard XD gets about 15% less MPG in all types of driving.

[CXTKRS1]

Look up the gear ratios for the auto vs manual and you will find answer, plus traditional automatics are more efficient than say just ten years ago.