Ferguson is a very intelligent bloke. He is smarter than his players and smarter than most in the media, so few are brave enough to challenge him without risking having egg on their face. Those who do challenge his rule tend to be the losers in the end. But I agree with Otta, he is less abrasive now and more communicative, hence we see the best of him more regularly. But he still has a huge ego and cross him at your peril.