Why is this “min” template of cpp-next at fault?

Question

I was reading cpp-next where this min template is presented as an example of how verbose C++ code can be compared to python code

template 

        

Answer 1

rev 3: KonradRudolph

template 
auto min(T x, U y) -> typename std::remove_reference::type
{ 
    return x < y ? x : y; 
}

rev 2: KennyTM

template 
auto min(T x, U y)->decltype(x < y ? std::declval() : std::declval())
{ 
    return x < y ? x : y; 
}

rev 1: T and U must be default constructible

template 
auto min(T x, U y)->decltype(x < y ? T() : U())
{ 
    return x < y ? x : y; 
}

test:

int main()
{
   int x; int y;
   static_assert(std::is_same::value, "");
   return 0;
}

EDIT:

I'm a bit surprised but it actually compiles with remove_reference.