Crossword Genius

Spanish fellow reportedly thriving (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

manuel

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'spanish' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'fellow reportedly thriving' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'man' (fellow can mean a man).
'reportedly thriving' becomes 'uel' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'man'+'uel'='MANUEL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for manuel that I've seen before include "Abduct" , "Fawlty Towers waiter" , "Spaniard" , "incompetent hotel worker" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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