I second the whole idea that it isn't often about manipulation, but just frustration. Imagine how frustrating it must be to know exactly what you want to do, but be unable to do it or even tell anyone else what you want done. Even if it is 'manipulation', if she is smart enough to have a tantrum to get you to do something, she smart enough to abandon that idea when she can do something better.
Often tantrums in my house were related to tiredness, hunger etc. My oldest in particular can NOT be hungry, and both would often be very tired but not showing any of the signs they were 'supposed' to show. It was much more interesting to be awake!
Don't worry too much about problems in the future, often the children change or develop and what you thought would be a problem isn't - and the problem is something completely different
