Saturday's 1-1 draw at Charlton - who occupy the final relegation spot - could prove vital, after Jon Stead cancelled out Talal El Karkouri's deflected opener.
Warnock hailed the impact of Stead, who joined the Yorkshire club from Sunderland in the January transfer window.
"He had a couple of difficult seasons at Sunderland, but has been a breath of fresh air for us," he beamed.
"He is playing with a smile on his face and has lifted the players."
United host fellow strugglers Wigan and already-relegated Watford in the closing stages of the season, so will fancy their chances of avoiding the drop.
"We knew we had to stand up and be counted. It was a hammer blow going behind on Saturday, but the players regrouped ever so well," added Warnock.
"It has helped that the pressure has not been on us so much, because everyone was expecting us to be in trouble - the pressure has been on those not expected to be involved."