I'm stuck in a very interesting position.

I report to a manager which reports to a director. I was summoned to the office one fine day when my manager was not around. The director had a casual chat with me and ask me if there are any problems and such. I did mention that there are few issues.

He then questioned me why I didn't go to my manager regarding these issues. I did mention that it's not very urgent/important and the last time I went to my manager on these issues, he just gave me some suggestion which ultimately still leads to me solving these problems. The director shares the same view as me that the manager should help his subordinates to resolve non-technical issues, as he can't provide any technical help.

The manager is relatively quite new, but is reponsible for my salary increment. It is actually the director which hired this manager to manage me and my deparment. I was asked to give my manager a list of problems and report to the director in 2 weeks regarding what my manager have done to resolve it.

I've also heard rumors that I may be promoted and I am wondering if this is some kind of test. Any request for promotion/increment have to be approved by the director. The director have personally picked me to do this as we had a good relationship from prior work experience in other areas.

Although my manager have control over my department, the director is able to override any decision made by the manager.

Am I playing with fire here? Should I do what the director ask me to do to sort of 'set up' my manager? Or should I play down the issue saying it is not very important/urgent. It's like biting the hands that feed you or biting the hand that feeds the hand that feeds you