I think you're correct about cup manipulation no longer working for the last two seasons; i'm not sure about this season. I played the last two seasons with an 8* team and did not manipulate the draw in either case (144%-151% two seasons ago; 131% to 144% last season). All other teams in the cup were either my level or +1 level, none were more than 1 level above my team. I would think with a high 7* or 8* team I would have drawn teams more than 1 level above mine, but didn't happen.