The Italian carded a second consecutive 68 at Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate on Friday to share second place on eight under behind Sweden's Jesper Svensson, who returned a 67.
The 30-year-old won the Silver Medal for leading amateur in the 2009 Open and turned professional the following year, becoming the youngest winner in European Tour history at just 17 in the Castello Masters.
He also became the youngest winner of the European tour's PGA Championship in 2013, but that remains his last top-tier victory to date and he lost his card in 2019 after making just one cut in 18 events.
Two wins on the Challenge Tour this season helped Manassero regain his playing privileges and he is relishing the opportunity to challenge for an overdue fifth DP World Tour title this weekend.
"It was a solid round, even better than yesterday probably if I have to pick one of the two," Manassero said after a 68 containing five birdies and one bogey.
"I'm happy with my start of the tournament and then of course, once the weekend comes, it's like a little tournament inside a tournament.
"We'll take it day by day, shot by shot even, but I am pleased with the way my game has developed the last few days.
"It's always nice to be in this position, to be in the top 10 and seeing the leaders not far away from you. There will be good things [this weekend] whatever the outcome may be."
South Africa's Casey Jarvis and Sweden's Joakim Lagergren are alongside Manassero on eight under, with defending champion Thriston Lawrence another five strokes back.
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