Moyes was appointed from Everton to succeed Alex Ferguson before the start of last season but reigning champions United lost three of their first six games and finished seventh in the table, their lowest position since 1990.
In his new autobiography, being serialised in The Sun, former United captain Ferdinand, who left the club earlier this year, accused the manager of having the 'mentality of a smaller club', taking a negative approach and not understanding United's attacking traditions.
"Moyes' innovations mostly led to negativity and confusion," the former England defender wrote.
"Moyes set us up not to lose whereas we'd been accustomed to playing to win. This wasn't Everton, it was Manchester United."