This fare (£21.45 Virgin advance) is also available on the 9.20 and 10.20. The OP said travel anytime,so if they can wait until the afternoon,the 14.35,14.55,15.15,15.35,16.35,17.15,17.35 and 18.15 are also available at this price.
Alternatively there is a 7.90 Virgin advance single on the 08.27 from Manchester to Birmingham (arrive 09.58) and then Super Off-peak singles are available from there to London on London Midland at 14 minutes past each hour for 13.15. This journey would,of course,be much slower and only 40p cheaper.