Warnock hopes to face Zola
United were handed the draw no-one wanted yesterday as Warnock's Blades face a mountainous task if they are to reach their first final since 1936, with either Arsenal or Chelsea standing in their way on April 13.
The two Premiership heavyweights first face a replay at Stamford Bridge on March 25 following their 2-2 Highbury draw on Saturday, with the winners likely to be rubbing their hands at the prospect of taking on the Nationwide League club.
Arsenal remain strong favourites to retain the trophy they won last season, defeating Claudio Ranieri's side 2-0 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
But Warnock believes the re-match "is not cut and dried", and if the Blues are victorious he will seek out one of his heroes in Zola.
"If it's Arsenal, I think Arsene Wenger will probably play his reserves so we will have a great chance!" quipped Warnock.
"It will still be a difficult game if it's Chelsea, and one of my favourite players plays for them. I love Zola and I'd love to get his shirt.
"He is probably the only player I would pay to go and watch. I think he has been a credit to the game, so from a personal point of view, I would love to see Chelsea play us."
With a typical air of Warnock cockiness, and with Watford playing Southampton in the other Nationwide League versus Premiership semi-final clash, the 54-year-old added: "I don't think it's beyond the realms of possibility that we can't beat either of these two teams.
"I think we are the only team which could so it's not a foregone conclusion by any means.
"Overall, it's just going to be a great occasion for us. The lads, who have been fantastic, will give it their all and if it's good enough, then great."
Warnock, though, would understandably love to lead out his side at Cardiff - but preferably for the play-off final as United remain on course for a top six finish in the First Division.
Like United, Watford will be underdogs when they face Gordon Strachan's Saints, but that matters little in comparison to the fact the club's cup run has eased their well-documented financial problems, in particular the introduction of a 12% pay-cut earlier this season.
Chief executive Tim Shaw revealed: "It means a further amount of non-budgeted income which is fantastic. It helps us to start moving the club along quicker than we thought we might be able to.
"It also maybe gives Ray Lewington (manager) a bit more in terms of budget for bringing new players in and trying to re-sign players we want to keep, and in the longer term getting the new stand built and buying back our freehold one day. That's a long time in the future, but we are on that road now."
Watford will be confident of adding Southampton to their list of Premiership scalps after already beating West Brom and Sunderland to date, with Lewington stating: "We're happy to have avoided Arsenal or Chelsea."
Strachan was also delighted to have avoided the big guns as he said: "I never said we were afraid of them because we have beaten Arsenal and drawn twice with Chelsea so we would not have been scared but common sense says it is better to avoid them at the moment because they are the best teams in it."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refused to look too far ahead, preferring to concentrate on the Chelsea replay, although would appear to have a healthy respect for Sheffield United.
"They're a team with a positive attitude," said Wenger. "They are technically good and prepared to go forward, but let's play Chelsea again first before we think about them."
Watford v Southampton
Arsenal or Chelsea v Sheffield United.
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