Shevchenko put the champions in the mood for their FA Cup quarter-final replay against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Monday with a third-minute opener.

A second goal from Salomon Kalou - his second in three games - increased Chelsea's dominance in the 16th minute and substitute Michael Ballack topped a fine afternoon for Mourinho's side with a third in the 57th minute.

United's cause was not helped by striker Rob Hulse sustaining a broken leg after a collision with goalkeeper Petr Cech in the 25th minute but they could do nothing to stop Chelsea from racking up their sixth consecutive Premiership victory and clean sheet.

"Andriy's scoring goals, not an amazing number of goals but he's scoring," said Mourinho.

"He has got two goals in the Champions league, half a dozen in the Premiership and two or three more in the cups.

"It is a natural evolution of a striker coming from many years playing different football. I think he will be the same as Didier Drogba in that respect.

"Didier did better in his second season and he's doing better than last season. Andriy will do even better next season. He is improving.

"He is a happy boy and he is adapting to the demands of English football. The best is still to arrive and I think he thinks that as well.

"English football is completely different and I think it is very difficult for a player to adapt and it is even more difficult for a striker.

"He's scoring a good number of goals for his first season and he's playing much better in relation to the team idea."

Mourinho rested a number of players with Monday's all-important replay in mind and their two early goals helped the players to conserve even more energy.

"With the game on Monday I was hoping not to be chasing a negative result," said the Chelsea boss.

"Because when you do that it is harder. We got a quick start and then went two-up in 20 minutes. It meant the game was under control and we were very comfortable.

"It also meant the players could enjoy the game and not be under pressure. It was good because we got the points we need and at the same time we could start thinking about Monday."

Mourinho's future has again been the subject of intense speculation during the week but the Portuguese coach admitted talking about the subject was becoming tiresome.

"I am getting tired of it a little," he said. "But it doesn't change my mind. If have to say it 51 times instead of 50, I want to stay at Chelsea I will say it. If I have to say if 52 times, I will say it 52 times.

"I expect to be here next season - I want to be here next season. That is 100% and I expect to be."

He was equally forthright when it came to Monday's tie with Tottenham.

When asked if he expected a tighter game than the thrilling 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge in the first game, Mourinho replied: "I expect to be in the final."

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock was more concerned with the double fracture of the leg suffered by striker Hulse than the defeat.

"No-one likes to see injuries like that. He collided with Cech and the leg goes one way and then the other," he said.

"It is horrible. It is one of those on TV where you look away. But someone else has to come in and get the goals to keep us in this division.

"It's bad enough to lose 3-0 but to lose your top scorer as well is tough. But we have got plenty of other strikers to fill his shoes."