I agree that with the old system of decent troops could only be got through combat did require micromanagement, but I didn't and don't think that it is such a bad thing - especially when the AI doesn't retrain (something that there has beenample time to rectify).

Getting elite units and keeping them did require thought. Do you throw them in each and every conflict as your losses will be lower, or save them as a strategic reserve in case of problems? If you can chuck them into every fight only to replenish whenever seems pretty stupid.